Tollgate Medical Centre Patient Participation Group (PPG)
As a member of the group you will receive e-mail requests inviting you to complete surveys about the practice, newsletters and other information regarding our practice patient services.
The group also meet together with the practice management team regularly either virtually or face to face to face.
We would like as many of our registered patients to join our virtual PPG as possible to act as a “voice for patients”.
If you wish to join:
- If you wish to join please complete the PPG application form via the link below;
Thank you in advance for your interest in our group.
What is a PPG?
A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of volunteer patients, carers and GP practice staff who meet to discuss practice issues and patient experience to improve the service.
A typical PPG brings together patients, GPs and staff from a GP practice (or group of practices) they meet regularly to discuss issues relating to their surgery and the services provided to patients.
What PPG should be
- GPs and staff can work with patients to plan services which best meet the needs of the people who use those services
- They can provide help and advice for patients on non-medical or social care issues.
- Patients can help the practice to meet its targets and objectives
- GPs and staff have an opportunity to share their ideas with patients.
- They get closer to their community – even more important as GPs take on increasing responsibility for spending more of the NHS budget to plan and buy health services for local people.
- They encourage patients to be more responsible for their own health
- Patients know more about their GP practice and its staff
- Patients can have a say on any plans to change their family doctor services
- Communication between patients and practice staff improves
- Patients have a chance to make suggestions and ask questions
- Local people can raise money to improve the facilities at their GP surgery
What PPG should not be
- A forum for complaints, although the group may discuss if there is a common theme and advise on improvements
- A time consuming activity for staff or patients
- PPG patient members cannot provide any medical advice to other patients, or deal with personal/medical issues or individual patient complaints during the meeting. These should be dealt with outside the meeting following the practices already established procedures.