Patient Participation Group

We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and active Patient Participation Group (PPG) that provides valuable support to the Surgery. Our PPG helps raise funds and accepts donations and bequests to support the purchase and maintenance of medical or ancillary equipment that is not typically funded through statutory or Practice resources, in consultation with the Practice Manager. As a registered charity, we are also able to claim Gift Aid on eligible donations, for which we are sincerely grateful.

The group represents the patient voice in the planning and development of practice-based services and works with other local and national patient support groups to promote meaningful patient involvement. We are affiliated with the National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) and follow their guidance, particularly in relation to Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations.

Who We Are

Members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) are volunteers who support and influence healthcare at St Lawrence Surgery by offering the patient’s perspective and acting as a ‘Critical Friend’.

What We Do 

Support Patient Care and Experience by:

• Enhancing the overall experience for patients attending the surgery.
• Sharing ideas to encourage patients to take greater responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.
• Supporting the surgery in delivering information sessions on medical and health-related topics of interest to patients.
• Developing self-help initiatives to address patient needs while making the best use of GP time.

Improve Communication and Engagement by:

• Communicating with patients through the practice website, noticeboards, emails, texts, and social media.
• Providing a forum to keep patients informed about wider NHS and Social Care changes and their local impact.

Influence Local Healthcare Services by:

• Acting as a representative body that can contribute to shaping local health and social care services.
• Liaising with other PPGs and interested organisations to stay informed about developments and support improvements to local services.

Provide Additional Resources through Fundraising by:

• Raising funds to help the practice purchase equipment and resources not normally funded by the NHS, supporting and enhancing the Surgery’s work.

Support Children and Young People with Special Needs:

For some time now St Lawrence Surgery have been working very closely with parent carers and the PPG to ensure children with special needs have a positive experience when visiting the surgery. They have created a Medical Passport which aims to help parents book appointments and improve communication with the doctor or nurse. The passport is completed by the parent/carer and scanned on to the child’s record. This enables the GP or Nurse to access additional information which will help the consultation go more smoothly.

To create a passport for your child, please complete this form.

Please visit the unique Facebook page for regular updates on support meetings and events.

Equipment Purchased

We have purchased a whole range of equipment not normally funded by the NHS, to support and improve the work of the surgery. These include:

• Electric Podiatry Chair
• 4 Ophthalmoscopes (eye equipment)
• Courtyard Sculptures
• Surgery Photographs
• Electric Couches
• Water Dispenser
• Atrial Fibrillation Device (heart equipment)
• Doppler Equipment (leg pulses equipment)
• Self-care leaflets
• Specialist ENT Microscope for micro-suction procedures and intensive investigation of the ear.
• FeNo Machine (helps diagnose and manage asthma)

What the PPG Doesn’t Do

We do not deal with personal medical issues or complaints, as there are already well established procedures that deal with these.

How can I become a member?

All patients registered with St Lawrence Surgery are automatically members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG). There are no membership fees, and no special training is needed.

If you're interested in helping at events, joining the Committee, supporting fundraising efforts, or simply finding out more, please complete the Patient Group Sign-Up Form on our website or leave your contact details at Reception, marked for the attention of the PPG Secretary.

We especially welcome interest from younger patients and are keen to ensure all age groups are represented.

PPG Signup form

When We Meet?

The PPG Executive Board gets together every six months to share ideas, give feedback on Surgery services, and plan fundraising activities.

You can check out the organisation chart below to see how the PPG is set up and the different groups that support the Executive Board.

Between those meetings, our Patient Improvement Group (PIG) meets with the Practice leadership team to talk about any changes or improvements that could help make things better for patients.

PPG Management

The PPG is run by a Committee that supports the Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Committee members are chosen at the Annual General Meeting each year.

The Practice Manager and one of the GPs usually join our meetings, so we can work closely together and maintain good communication between the PPG and the Surgery team.

The PPG is proud of the strong partnership they have built with the Surgery. It is also linked to the National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) and is governed by the rules of that registered charity.

PPG Organisation

Patient Executive Board (Six monthly)

• Chair: Lindsay B
• Treasurer: Judith S
• Secretary: Hilary S
• Patient Improvement Group Leader: Judith S
• Children and Schools Leader: Lindsay B
• Walk Leader: Eric B
• Bookstall: Phil S
• Health & Wellbeing Ambassador: Debbie S

Supported By:

• Walking Group (weekly): Eric B
• Patient Improvement Group (quarterly): Judith S
• Children and Schools Group (six monthly): Lindsay B

Background

Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) was established in 1996 to work alongside the Surgery in improving and expanding the services and facilities available to patients. The group began when patients were invited by the GPs to form a committee.   Subsequently a constitution was agreed to guide how the group would operate.