The overall aim of our group [PPG] is to develop a positive and constructive relationship between patients, the Practice and the community it serves, ensuring the practice remains accountable and responsive to all its patients needs. 

Our group is affiliated to The National Association for Patient Participation which issues periodic bulletins and newsletters. These can be accessed at www.napp.org.uk.

Latest NAPP Ebulletin below:

http://www.napp.org.uk/latestebulletins.html

1. Create and improve two-way communication between patients, the Practice and the community it serves.
2. To bring a sense of partnership between Practice and patients.
3. Provide an avenue for patients’ input in the way facilities and services are planned and executed, to add humanity to, and influence those services.
4. Provide constructive two-way feedback on patient and community needs, concerns and interests.
5. Support the Practice in good health promotions, preventative medicine and health literacy
6. Collect patient opinions and experiences to help the practice to evaluate its services.
7. Communicate to the practice community and/or the wider community information about the practice.
8. Liaise with the Optimus group of practices to share and develop best practice and/or resources.

All registered patients are welcome to join the PPG although, in the interests of effective decision making, membership of the core is limited to twelve. Specialist sub-groups may be formed to deal with specific topics utilising individual skills and interests.  Our group meets quarterly and members can be contacted through reception.

The group would like to contact patients on occasion by email and/or text so that they can obtain the views of the widest group of patients possible. We would like to obtain your email address and mobile phone number to do this. Please complete the Patient Contact Form to provide your consent for this.

I’m still relatively new, but it’s clear the PPG gives patients a proper chance to say what’s working—and what could be better. Everyone’s listened to, and ideas genuinely go somewhere. You don’t need to know anything technical—just everyday experiences can help improve things.  Donna

I have been a patient at BPMP for many years, and recently joined the PPG. I find it very informative and everyone has a chance to discuss what could be improved in patient care.  Your experiences and new ideas are listened to and important to the Practice for ongoing care for patients. Margaret

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We moved into this area 11 years ago and when I saw a request for interested people to join the PPG I responded as I have always been interested in health care. The meetings last one and half hours and are 4 times a year, held in the surgery building. The Practice Manager and a GP is present at the meetings. Over the years examples of some of the topics the group has been involved with: raising awareness of the need for car park repairs;  developing Facebook for the Practice; reviewing the wording in questionnaires and receiving the results of surveys; developing information posters; understanding the roles of variety of staff within the practice.I find PPG is a good place to be informed about how and why your primary health care is delivered from your surgery and is a place for you to air your views.  Cathy

We meet every 3 months for about 1 and a half hours at the surgery, I have been a PPG member for quite sometime now and I find the meetings are very useful, friendly, ,informative and its nice to give support to the surgery that gives us support as a patient when needed. Sandy