Patient Participation Group

The Role of the PPG

We are a self-selected group of 9 to 10 patients of the practice who responded to an invitation to create a PPG for this surgery. We contribute to the Patient's Forum where patients, practice managers and medical colleagues meet to advise the new Cam Health Commissioners of patient perspectives on their decisions. This means that sometimes the NW PPG is working on service developments more broadly, and at others we are focused on our own surgery.

Each year we initiate and organize the survey of patient’s opinions of the practice.  This is mainly to a standardized format so comparisons can be made over time and between surgeries. We then follow up any concerns and issues that patients identify.

We meet bi-monthly for two hours, usually at the surgery.

Our ideas for future work include:

• to collate useful information for patients to be kept and updated on the website
• to invite speakers on health education issues occasionally
• to think about ways to support patients who request social or practical support (e.g. lifts to hospital appointments)
• to organize events, such as a monthly health walk.
• to be a point of contact for other patients who would like to contribute to the practice.

Terms of Reference

This PPG will: 

• Contribute to practice decision-making and will consult on service development and provision. 
• Provide feedback on patients’ needs, concerns and interests and invite a practice response whenever necessary. 
• Assist the practice and its patients by arranging voluntary groups/support within the community. 
• Communicate information about the community that may affect healthcare. 
• Liaise with other PPGs in the area. 
• The PPG is not a forum for complaints. 

Accountability

The minutes of this group will be formally recorded and placed on the PPG page of the Newnham Walk Surgery website. 

Membership

At this point all members are volunteers. Kate Townsend represents the doctors and liaises with them and the Practice Manager. 

Quorum

We will aim to have a minimum of 5 people attending any meeting. We intend to have many more patients serving in an informal capacity to guide our discussions.