We would like to know how we can improve our services. To help us with this, we have set up a Patient Participation Group so that you can have your say.
What are Patient Participation Groups (PPGs)?
Since April 2015, it has been a contractual requirement of NHS England for all GP practices to
have a PPG and to make reasonable efforts for this to be representative of the practice population.
A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of patients, carers and GP practice staff who meet to discuss practice issues and patient experience to help improve the service.
Who is part of the PPG?
A PPG is open to every patient on the GP practice list. All communities, groups, genders, ages,
ethnicities, and disabilities representing the patient list are encouraged to join.
What is the role of the PPG Member?
To attend PPG meetings and to provide regular feedback to the practice about the quality of the services it provides.
To have a role in the designing and monitoring of the practice’s services, so influencing improvements
To support the practice’s health promotion events and work with them to improve health literacy among patients
A PPG is not:
- A Forum for complaints. By providing a channel for communication, a PPG can reduce the risk of complaints. Many groups agree to forward concerns to the Practice Manager or the PALS team
- For the implementation of a pre-determined agenda (the Government’s or anyone else’s). The independence of the PPG’s is a major strength. They are informally accountable to all the patients in the practice and should therefore take a balanced view of needs
- A time-consuming activity for GP Practices. Most PPG groups are self-organising. Many groups undertake activities that help the GP practice staff
The PPG cannot become involved in matters of a specific medical or clinical nature.
If this is something that you would like to get involved then please contact the Practice or complete the online form.
We aim to acknowledge your request within 5 working days.
Alternately please contact the Practice on 02083195400 or in person
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What other formalities are there?
A: A constitution or Terms of Reference are useful (see Appendix 1 for a template).
Q: How much time does the PPG require?
A: This depends on the individual PPG and the commitment of its members. Preparing for meetings (document reading) and attendance at the meeting would be a minimum.
Q: Will it affect my relationship with my GP?
A: No. The PPG work is separate from day to day practice work. The PPG and its membersmhave no access to patient medical records. PPG feedback to the practice is general and anonymised.
Q: Who else will be able to access my contact details?
A: Your contact details are only used for PPG purposes. They will be held securely and will never be shared without your permission. Adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 will always be followed.
Q: Why are you asking patients for their contact details?
A: We would like to be able to contact patients and carers occasionally to ask them questions about the practice and how well we are doing to identify areas for improvement.
Q: Will my doctor see this information?
A: This information is purely to contact patients to ask them questions about the practice, how well we are doing and ensure changes that are being made are patient focused. If your doctor is responsible for making some of the changes in the practice they might see general feed[1]back from patients.
Q: Will the questions you ask me be medical or personal?
A: We will only ask general questions about the practice, such as short questionnaires.
Q: What if I no longer wish to be on the contact list or if I leave the practice?
A: We will ask you to let us know by email if you do not wish to receive further messages.
Valentine Health Partnership Patient Participation Group Survey
Your doctor’s surgery (Valentine Health Partnership at Ferryview and Holburne Road) has a group of patients who advise Valentines on how they can improve things for patients. It’s called the Patient Participation Group and the members are sending you this questionnaire. The group is independent of the Practice and monitors and advises on the service. In the past we have surveyed patients in the waiting rooms but that hasn’t been possible since the pandemic.
Will you help us by filling in this survey. You can fill it in anonymously. However, if you’d like to continue to be involved in patient participation or you ask any questions, let us know your email address/phone number and your name at the end and we will respond or ask Valentines to respond.
Many thanks,
Valentine’s Patient Participation Group
Reports
The information you supply us will be used lawfully, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. The Data Protection Act 2018 gives you the right to know what information is held about you and sets out rules to make sure that this information is handled properly.