Patient Participation Groups

We want to ensure that patients, their families and carers are represented and heard from at all stages of their treatment.

Generally made up of a group of volunteer patients, the practice manager and one or more of the GPs from the practice, patient participation groups meet on a regular basis to discuss the services on offer, and how improvements can be made for the benefit of patients and the practice.

The beauty of PPGs is that there is no set way in which they work - the aims and work of each group entirely depends on local needs - but they all have the aim of making sure that their practice puts the patient, and improving health, at the heart of everything it does.

We have developed a model of working with NHS Trusts, GP practices and other health and social care organisations, including universities and colleges to assist with patient involvement.

Download our PPG Toolkit, updated in May 2021.

Latest

Patients Association welcomes restoration of in-person GP appointments

Our response to instructions to GPs to restore face to face appointments for patients who want them.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Delays and cancellations

Most respondents to our survey had experienced delayed or cancelled appointments.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: Staying away from care?

We found that it was more common during the pandemic for patients to try to access care but struggle than to stay away voluntarily, although both happened.
Pandemic Patient Experience II: NHS 111

Our survey showed a modest increase in use of NHS 111 during the pandemic, and a mix of patient experiences - more positive than negative, but still with some cause for concern.