Patient Participation Group

Relaunching our Patient Participation Group Meetings and looking for Representatives to Join

We are looking to run quarterly PPG meetings (remote-online); which will be formed of the following:

12 X Committee members; 6 from the Misbourne Surgery and 6 from the St Giles Surgery
1 X Chairperson
1 X Vice chair
1 X Secretary
A representative from the Misbourne Management team/ GP Partner or combination of both.

The notes and any communications from these meetings will be shared with all PPG members and there will be agreement on how effective 2-way communication can be formed between the representative group and the rest of the PPG members, to ensure as far as possible all voices are heard.

If you are interested in representing your fellow patients and community and becoming an active member who can commit to attend quarterly meetings (dates TBC), please register your interest to become part of the committee using the link above. We will operate on a first come, first served basis and as soon as all the vacant slots are filled; we will cease taking applications and will send an update accordingly.

** Please note; in order for your application to be successful and a place awarded on the representative committee, you will also need to have signed and accepted the terms of reference that will be sent to you upon receipt of your application, so please ensure to keep an active eye on your emails for this **

Key responsibilities of the PPG roles

Chairperson

The chairperson will be responsible for chairing the patient participation group meetings by:

Welcoming everyone attending the meeting and thanking them for their
attendance.
Welcoming guest speakers attending the meetings and thanking them for their support and attendance.
Ensuring that all patients present at the meeting understand and feel part of the discussions, and information giving by summarising main points and checking that everyone is clear about the information they have heard.
Checking whether meeting attendees have any questions they want to ask.
Liaising with vice chair, secretary and practice manager regarding content of future meetings.
Agreeing the content of the minutes of meetings with the secretary and practice manager.

Vice Chairperson

The vice chairperson will assist the chairperson at meetings by providing back-up information as and when necessary.
Chairing patient participation group meetings in the absence of the chairperson.
Taking minutes of the patient participation group meetings in the absence of the secretary.
Supporting the chairperson and the practice manager in discussion regarding content of meetings.

Secretary

The secretary is responsible for convening the meetings, sending out agendas and taking minutes which she/he will write up within 10 working days of the meetings.
When taking minutes, the secretary will be aware that many of the members of the patient group cannot attend the meetings so minutes need to be comprehensive, as explanatory as possible to enable members to fully understand the issues being discussed.
The secretary will send draft minutes to the chair, vice chair and practice manager for approval and any necessary changes before distributing to the patient group membership.
The secretary will liaise with the practice administrator to ensure that the emailing database is kept up to date.
The secretary will respond to emails from virtual patient participation group members, and forward them on for comment as appropriate.

Committee Member

To attend PPG meetings and to provide regular feedback to the practice about the quality of the services it provides.
To have a role in the designing and monitoring of the practice’s services, so influencing improvements.
To support the practice’s health promotion events and work with them to improve health literacy among patients Responsibilities:
To work collaboratively with patients and the practice team.
Be willing to voice opinions and contribute to discussions.
Listen to and reflect the views of other patients and carers.
Be aware of the contents of the PPG Information & Support Pack eg Terms of Reference.
Be able to attend majority of the meetings regularly.
Be aware of the activities of the PPG.
Whilst observing confidentiality, talk to other patients and carers to pick up comments and concerns in the practice community.
Promote the PPG.
Read agendas and papers in advance of meetings.
Be polite, objective and constructive in discussions and be aware of the Equality Act 2010 in those discussions.
Be proactive and positive.
Take advantage of any training and development opportunities provided by the NHS/practice.
Ensure all agenda items are discussed in a timely manner.
Ensure actions are recorded and steps are taken to follow them up and implement them.

The Aims of the Patient Participation Group

The practice has always welcomed comments from patients regarding the services we provide, however, in 2011 we set up the Misbourne Practice Patient Reference Group (PPG) in order to further encourage patient participation at the practice.

The Misbourne Practice Patient Reference Group was set up as a ‘virtual group’. The decision to set up this kind of group was taken after discussions at practice meetings. We felt that due to the very busy schedules of the doctors and patients a virtual group would be more practical. Members could be contacted periodically via email for their views and would not be required to commit to attending regular meetings (see below to sign up).