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Patient Participation GroupPatient Participation Group

James Street Family Practice

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Why?

PPGs create a connection between the PPGs create a connection between the Practice and its patients; allowing open, Practice and its patients; allowing open, constructive discussion. constructive discussion.

Allows direct access to information on the Allows direct access to information on the needs and perspectives of the Practice’s needs and perspectives of the Practice’s patients. In return this allows the Practice to patients. In return this allows the Practice to tailor services to their patient population tailor services to their patient population making it more responsive and accessible. making it more responsive and accessible.

PPGs are an excellent way to mobilise and PPGs are an excellent way to mobilise and

give voice to the goodwill that practices have give voice to the goodwill that practices have in their community.in their community.

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How shall we run the PPG?

• Establish ground rules

• Constitution – Clarity of purpose of the group is essential. Objectives to be determined.

• Meetings – The importance! Necessity! Types!

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Develop Aims & Objectives

Aims• Challenging but attainable• Focus on matters which relate to local needs and concerns,

but include discussion on national trends and policies which have a local impact

Focus on• Quality of service • Access• Changes to the practice or service provision• Impact of the group on patients• Good aspects of the practice that should be widely known

about• Aspects of the Practice that need to improve• Public opinion• Linking into the community

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Challenges

• Keeping the group going early on

• The groups expectations become too high

•Getting the PPG to communicate with other patients

• Recruiting and maintaining the interests of members

• Setting up projects that are truly practical and beneficial to the Practice

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Available Resource

National Association Of Patient Participation N.A.P.P

What do N.A.P.P do?

• Encourages the formation of patient participation groups

• Provides information for groups• Seeks to influence national policy

Information on N.A.P.P. is atwww.napp.org.uk