Patient Participation Group

Grove House Surgery & Chickenley Medical Centre

What is the purpose of a Patient Participation Group?

• To give practice staff and patients the opportunity to, where possible, share decision-making in the running of the practice.
• To provide for patients to make positive suggestions about the practice, and be an advocate for patient preferences when appropriate.
• To provide a means for practice staff to inform patients about the reality of running a General Practice.
• To involve further patients from the wider population, and be an advocate for the practice when appropriate.
• To encourage health education activities within the practice.
• To develop self-help projects to meet the needs of fellow patients, such as befriending, help with transport, and bereavement support.
• To act as a representative group that can be called upon to influence the local provision of health and social care. Remember! A PPG has to represent a whole practice population, not personal or individual views, and so must have a strategic and overarching focus. Benefits of a Patient.

Terms of Reference

The practice has an established patient group which is widely advertised by displaying posters and including the question on new patient registration forms. GP’s, Nurses and other members of staff speak to patients to see if they would be interested in being involved with the group. Everyone interested is offered a questionnaire to complete and email addresses taken and recorded for further contact. This is an ongoing process and we accept new patient all the time.

If interested please contact the Practice Manager on 01924 476363 for more details.

Objectives

• The purpose of the Patient Participation Group is to establish communication between the practice and registered patients.
• For patients to be involved in development of the surgery
• To provide feedback on patient concerns and interests.

Membership

Membership is voluntary and open to all registered patients.

The practice Manager will liaise with the group via email.

Quorum

it was agreed that the group would be a virtual group to prevent the need to attend meetings and thus encourage more patients to participate.

• Patient Participation Group Handbook
• Patient Participation Group Constitution
• Patient Participation Group – Minutes Of Meetings
• Patient Participation  Group – Action Plan

Patient Participation Group Survey

• the survey questions were discussed in practice to get a first draft taking into consideration the National survey results
• the survey was printed on one A4 page so the patient would not feel it to overwhelming and be able to complete while in surgery.
• 200  surveys were distributed and returned during normal surgery hours for a 2 week period.
• the results of the survey were counted, once  all surveys counted percentages were calculated.
• The results show no major issues but some areas can be discussed within the virtual group

Comments from patient survey

• 85% of patients describe their overall experience the practice as good.
• 78% of patients surveyed think it easy to get through on the phones.
• 85% find the reception and administrative staff helpful.
• 91% knew what the next step would be after contacting the surgery.
• 100% knew what the next step would be within 2 days of contacting the surgery.
• 65% where offered a choice of time and day when they last tried to make an appointment.
• 18% were offered a choice of location when they last tried to make an appointment.

There are no major issues and the survey did show improvement in several areas. There are some areas that can be discussed with the virtual group. Action Plan

The survey covered access and opening times,

• The surgery is open Monday – Friday from 0700 (booked appointments only) – 1830 hours
  The telephones are answered Monday – Friday from 0800 – 1830hrs

Availability of Information