Agenda Introduction Ground Rules What is a PPG Benefits of a PPG Group Structure Why Groups Fail What do we want from a PPG Next Steps

About Us… Practice has provided healthcare to Salford residents for over 55 years Family run with baton passed from father to daughter 3 Partners and one Salaried GP 2 Practice Nurses and 1 Asst Practitioner 9 other staff (3 – 35 years experience) Gradually expanded now with patients Involvement in training and research projects Plans to relocate to new centre on Bury New Road

Ground Rules 1.This meeting is not a forum for individual complaints and single issues 2.Open & honest communication and challenge between individuals 3.Be flexible, listen, ask for help and support each other 4.Demonstrate a commitment to delivering results, as a group 5.Silence indicates agreement – speak up but always go through the Chair! 6.All views are valid and will be listened to 7.No phones or other disruptions 8.Start and finish on time, stick to the agenda

What is a PPG? “……work with their practices to provide practical support, to help patients take more responsibility for their own health and to provide strategic input and advice. They are based on cooperation between patients and practice staff and help to improve communication”

Purpose of PPG To give staff / patients the opportunity where possible to share decision making in the running of the practice To be an advocate for patient preferences when appropriate To provide a means for staff to advise patients about the reality of running a General Practice To encourage health education activities To develop self-help projects that meet the needs of fellow patients such as befriending, transport etc To act as a representative group that can be called upon to influence the local provision of health and social care

Good for the Patient Patients will become more responsible for their own health Patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff. Patients will be consulted about arrangements for their primary health care before decisions are made. Patients will benefit from improved communications between patients and staff. Patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns.

Good for the Community Patients will have an organisation through which they can help other patients in need. The patient view will always be represented in local health care. Improved communication will lead to more accountability for practice staff. Patients will have an opportunity to make links with other community initiatives, such as Healthy Living Centres and Sure Start Programme.

Good for the Practice Jointly planned services are more effective and used more efficiently by patients. They will be able to help patients with non-medical issues such as loneliness, transport and health education. They will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives, such as surveys. They will have a forum to test ideas and suggestions to patients. They will get closer to the community for whom they care. All successful businesses listen to their customers.

Group Structure Name Membership Recruitment  Open  Invited  Application Officers

Why groups Fail Lack of focus. Poor planning. Poor communication within the group & poor mechanisms for communicating out to the wider population. Hostility between the group and the practice. Failure to get full support from the practice for the group and it’s contribution Relying too heavily on one or two people. Poor ground rules. New members join or two surgeries merge – when the group experiences change

What do we want from OUR group? …survey??

Future Planning Next Steps Meeting Frequency

Thank-you