A PPG is a group of patients interested in health and healthcare issues, who want to get involved with and support the running of their local GP Practice. Most Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) also include members of practice staff, and meet at regular intervals to decide ways and means of making a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by the practice to its patients.

It stated that the NHS will shape services around patients, their families and carers; respond to the needs of different populations; and provide open access to information about services, treatment and performance.

We need young people, workers, retirees, people with long term conditions and people from non-British ethnic groups.

Patient involvement in health is currently a high priority in the NHS. With the transition to GP commissioning this will become more and more important to practices.

Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) based around surgeries can be a good way to establish a positive line of communication with patients. Many practices have considered starting PPGs but have been unsure about taking the first step. The Friends of Lakeside was set up as long ago as 1991 and has since worked closely with medical and administrative staff at the Health Centre to support patients.

The NHS plan in 2000 emphasised the importance of patient and public involvement.

TIME

Friends of Lakeside [PPG]

Patient Participation at the Lakeside Health Centre