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Patient Participation Group
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.
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.
Next Planned Meeting
- Date: Thursday, 16th October 2025
- Time: 5:30pm
- Duration: 1 hour over Zoom
Patient Participation Group Notice
Thank you to all those who expressed an interest in joining our Patient Participation Group (PPG). We had an overwhelming response to the text message that was sent - it is great to see how many patients wish to get involved. Over 200 patients expressed interest in joining the PPG.
We held the meeting virtually via Zoom at the request of existing group members in view of the timing of the meeting – to avoid patients having to walk to the surgery in the dark. The intention is to offer a mix of face-to-face and virtual (non-face-to-face) meetings in future.
We had some connectivity issues which meant that not all the initial attendees were able to stay on until the end of the meeting – with our next meeting planned to be face to face we hope to avoid this in future. We would like to find a way to involve as many patients as possible.
How to Join
To become a member of the Patient Participation Group, please complete our online form.
Signup to becoming a PPG Member
Ask the PPG a question
This form should only be used to ask a question, share your thoughts or send a suggestion to the Patient Participation Group (PPG). This form is for Non-Medical use only.
Patient Participation Group Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Patient Participation Group (PPG)?
A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group made up of GP Practice patients aged 16 years and over, carers of registered patients and members of the GP Practice staff.
The aim of this group is to influence the way services are delivered by the Practice. If patients’ group holds meetings at the practice, it is also called the face-to-face PPG.
What is a Virtual Patient Participation Group (PPG)?
Some GP Practices have a Virtual Patient Participation Group. A Virtual PPG is online based group. It holds their meetings online using video conference platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or similar. GP practice may use both types: face-to-face and virtual meetings, to ensure that all patients have the opportunity to contribute to improvements to practice services.
What do PPGs do?
- Review patients’ surveys such as the Family and Friends Test.
- Listen to patients’ stories and views.
- Explore ideas and suggestions on how to improve patients’ experiences in the GP Practice.
- Discuss with GP Practice staff and agree on an action plan for service improvements.
- Monitor the implementation of the service improvement action plan.
- Run small projects around patients’ education, health promotion, and improvements to GP Practice environment.
What PPGs do not do?
A PPG meeting is not a forum to raise individual complaints. A PPG meeting is not a forum to seek medical advice.
What happens at a PPG meeting?
A PPG meeting is attended by the Practice GP, Practice Manager, and practice patients and carers. The meeting is managed by the Patient Chair or Practice Manager. The meeting follows an agenda. The meetings usually last around 1 and half hours.
Latest PPG Meeting Minutes
- Date: Thursday, 8th May 2025 at 5pm
- Location: The Well Street Surgery and Online via Zoom
- Chair and Minute Taker: IR, KR
- Attendees: IR, SS, KR, SK, B
Communication
- WhatsApp group has been set up for PPG members.
- Patients and GPs have been informed.
- Plans to introduce a regular newsletter via email to share updates, particularly about the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) service and other services. Members informed about how the FCP service works. And Positive feedback received regarding the physiotherapy service.
Classes and Community Engagement
- Cooking classes are now up and running, led by Dr. Faith Asemota
Patient Feedback
- Work ongoing to gather more patient feedback.
- An iPad will be made available for patients to submit feedback as they leave.
- Volunteers to be recruited to assist in distributing surveys.
- Proposal to introduce “Love to Shop” vouchers as an incentive to encourage feedback participation.
Air Conditioning Request
- Docters, staff and patients have raised concerns about heat on one side of the building due to sun exposure, making it uncomfortable to work
- General agreement that air conditioning is a good idea.
- SS to investigate cost and planning requirements. PPG will decide if PPG funds can be allocated for this purpose. Open to additional suggestions from the group.
Practice Finance
- PPG updated on current financial pressures and borderline budgeting.
- Discussion on the cost of running the surgery.
Staffing and New Partner
- Dr. Michael Alade has become a new partner.
Water Station
- Identified as a health and safety issue. Proposal to install signage informing patients they can request water at reception.
Reception and Queue System
- The current queuing system has issues with patients skipping the line.
- Trial to begin with one staff member at the ground-floor front desk and another on the first-floor reception to manage flow more effectively.