Hawthorn Medical Practice

Burgh Le Marsh Surgery

Patient Participation Group

We are seeking patients who would like to join our Patient Participation Group (PPG)

What is Hawthorn Medical Practice PPG?
The PPG is a group of volunteer patients registered with Hawthorn Medical Practice who have no medical training but have an interest in the provision of local health services. PPGs are independent groups who take an interest in their local practice and health services in general.

What is the purpose of this PPG?
• To give patients the opportunity to provide feedback to the practice
• To represent the views of patients
• To provide a confidential space for all patients to voice their concerns
• To encourage activities and events within the practice
• To develop projects that help other patients, such as befriending, help with transport and bereavement support
• To gather feedback on health services in the area
• To help patients understand the challenges faced in general practice

“A PPG is a group of people who work with their practices to provide practical support, to help patients to take more responsibility for their own health, and to provide strategic input and advice. They are based on cooperation between the practice staff and patients. They help to improve communication and engagement.”
National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP)

What can Hawthorn Medical Practice PPG do?

1. Help the practice to improve services for example:
• Provide patient feedback to the practice
• Improve practice facilities and the experiences of patients
• Carry out surveys to understand patients’ views

2. Offer support to other patients, including for example
• Offer bereavement support
• Set up carer’s groups
• Set up volunteer transport schemes for medical appointments

3. Provide information for example
• Produce patient newsletters for the practice
• Make sure information and advice is user friendly (e.g., by providing feedback on leaflets and other materials)
4. Arrange special health events:
• Arrange for training in basic first aid for patients
• Raise awareness around particular issues or illnesses
• Awareness for cultural groups around issues that relate to them

Hawthorn Medical Practice PPG is not:

x A forum for complaints
x A fast track queue jumping service for appointments and/or other services
x A vehicle for people to resolve their own personal issues
x A doctor’s fan club

What are the benefits of a PPG?

Good for the patients because:
• Patients can take an active role in their own health
• Patients will have a better understanding of how the practice works
• Patients can be informed about what is happening in the practice
• Patients will be able to influence what is happening in the practice
• Patients will have a forum to discuss and feedback on wider issues with health services in the area
• Patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns
Good for the practice because:
• Practice staff can listen to patient’s views
• They will be able to get help from patients for projects and events
• They will form a relationship with their patients
• PPGs can take an active role in informing the whole patient population about what is happening in the practice
Good for the community because:
• Patients will have a group that represents them
• Patients will be more informed about what is happening in the practice
• Patients will have an opportunity to become involved in community projects


Frequently asked questions:

How much involvement do I have to have?
You can have as much or as little as you have time for. Members can either be part of the active group who attend quarterly meetings where they can apply for different roles such as Chair and Secretary and are actively involved in activities or they can be part of the virtual group, these tend to be not as active but will be asked for opinions on a range of topics.

If I join the PPG what happens if I decide I no longer wish to be involved or leave the practice?
You can leave the PPG at any time, just let us know and we will remove you from the PPG list. If you leave the practice, you will automatically leave the PPG.

Will I be asked to share any of my own medical history?
Not at all! The PPG is about the practice and the services it offers. No members will be asked questions relating to anything medical about themselves or in general.

Why do you need my contact details and other information?
We need a range of patient representation, which represents each cohort of patients within practice population. We need to be able to contact members of the PPG from time to time with information and to gather feedback.

Who else will have access to my information?
The details you provide are not shared with anyone else. All contact details for members are kept safe and secure and are not used for any other purpose than PPG business.

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Date published: 13th October, 2014
Date last updated: 18th November, 2022