What is a PPG?
A PPG is a group is open to all patients on the GP practice list including all communities, groups, genders, ages ethnicities, disabilities, paid and unpaid carers and GP practice staff who meet to discuss practice issues and patient experience to help improve the service
Who sits on a PPG?
The PCN PPG aims to have patient representatives from all member practices, plus core members of the PCN’s management team.
Purpose of a PPG?
The PPG works together with the practice to represent the patient’s voice in decision making, ensuring that all communities registered with the practice are represented.
Being part of a PPG provides an opportunity:
- for patients and PCN staff to meet and discuss constructive suggestions for improving the PCN, and share concerns that could affect the wider practice population
- to increase awareness of the PCN and how it can improve healthcare for the people of Southend West Central
- to design a newsletter to provide regular updates to patients
- to support health awareness
- to engage with the local communities to ensure the PPG is truly reflective of the practice population
How do I join my local PPG?
Southend West Central PCN is currently developing its own Patient Participation Group (PPG), which will meet on a regular basis to discuss developments within the network and how we can strengthen engagement in the local community.
If you would like to join the group, please contact us using the online form:
Useful links
The following links may be of interest for ideas, tools or resources:
- National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP)
- Public Health England – Campaign Resource Centre – you can request resource packs if you want to support a Public Health England campaign
- National Institute Health Research – You can find out how your local PPG can get involved in local health research
- Framework for patient and public participation in Health and Justice commissioning – this framework is a guide for NHS commissioners of health and justice services – and anyone who is interested, including patients and the public, the voluntary sector, and providers of health and social care services. The framework describes how NHS England involves patients and the public in the commissioning of health and justice services <note this guidance is due to be revised in June to take into account the move to an ICS>
- NHS England Involvement Hub – a source of information for people who want to get involved in our work or enable others to participate.
