8.2. Setting up a Patient Participation Group
The number of PPGs in England is increasing – 40% of practices now have one. Each PPG will be different, evolving to meet local needs, but they often work to give practices a patient perspective on services. PPGs are supported nationally by NAPP (National Association for Patient Participation).
Patient participation is:
- patients working with a practice to improve services;
- varied to suit local needs; and
- based on cooperation.
Patient participation is not:
- a forum for complaints;
- a doctors’ fan club; or
- a time-consuming activity for practice staff.
Benefits
Good for patients
- Patients will take more responsibility for their own health.
- Patients will have a clearer understanding and knowledge of the practice and staff.
- Patients will be consulted about their primary healthcare before decisions are made.
- Patients will benefit from improved communications with staff.
- Patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice their concerns.
Good for practice staff
- Staff will be able to plan services jointly with patients and this should make services more effective.
- Staff will be able to help patients with non-medical and social care issues.
- Staff will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives.
- Staff will have a forum to voice concerns, ideas and suggestions to patients.
- Staff will build stronger links with their community.
Costs
It is inevitable that the group will incur costs. These may be running costs for administration etc that are minimal and that the practice is willing to absorb. There may be higher occasional costs for some of the more ambitious objectives (such as a wheelchair for the practice). Most PPGs run on less than £500 per year. 1
1 Based on Growing patient participation – Getting started (NAPP 2009, and NHS Norfolk, NHS Milton Keynes and Liverpool PCT).
Case studies
There are no case studies in this section.
Useful resources
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Suppliers
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