Patient Participation Group
Trinity is pleased to announce that our Goldstone Primary Care Network Community Patient Group (PPG) is now up and running. Trinity are working together on this community initiative with Charter Medical Centre and WellBN (Brighton Health & Wellbeing Centre and Benfield Valley Healthcare hub) and we are all members of Goldstone Primary Care Network. The purpose of our group is to:
- To give patients and practice staff the opportunity to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest.
- To provide a means for patients to make suggestions about the healthcare services they receive.
- To explore issues from patient complaints and patient surveys, contribute to actions plans and help monitor improvements.
- To contribute feedback to the practice on National Patient Survey results and Friends and Family Test feedback to propose developments or change.
- To support health awareness and patient education.
If you are interested in finding out more or would like to join the group, please come along to our next get together at Trinity (Date and time yet to be confirmed). If you would find it easier to join remotely, we can do this on MS Teams also for those who would find it easier to attend that way. Please email the Trinity mailbox at sxicb-bh.thetrinitymedicalcentre@nhs.net with the subject PPG.
There are no membership requirements except you must be registered with the practice. All Communities, groups, genders, ages, ethnicities and disabilities representing the patient list are encouraged to join.
What are Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
Primary Care Networks, or PCNs,are groups of GP Practices working closely together – along with other healthcare staff and organisations – providing integrated services to the local population. The Goldstone PCN is formed of three local Practices- Charter Medical Centre, Trinity Medical Centre and
WellBN (Brighton Health & Wellbeing Centre and Benfield Valley Healthcare hub).
What can a PPG do?
Discuss constructive suggestions for improving the practice, and share concerns that could affect the wider practice population.
Organise health focused events with the practice, i.e. healthy eating awareness as an information event for all practice patients to attend.
Create a patient survey with practice staff, to get feedback about the practice from the rest of the patient population.
Design a newsletter for the practice, to provide regular updates to patients?
Assist the practice in making sure their website is ‘Patient Friendly’?
Engage with the local community, consider fundraising events, and ensure the PPG is representative.
Invite health and voluntary professionals to PPG meetings, for PPG members to remain informed and updated about local opportunities for patients.
Work with the Social Prescribing Link Workers and Health & Wellbeing Coaches in order to promote group activities and local community links
What can a PPG not do?
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.
Whilst all constructive suggestions for improving practice will be taken into consideration, PPG members are not decision makers or stakeholders
Who attends the PPG Meetings?
PPG members should elect a Patient Chair after the first or second meeting. Having a patient who chairs the PPG meetings empowers the group to share their views and encourages co-production between the patients and the practice. The group should also elect a secretary.
There will also be regular representation from the practices either via the Practice Managers or a delegated senior administration team member. GPs can also attend the meetings, either for a regular slot on the agenda, or as and when requested by PPG members. The PPG should aim to meet at least 4 times a year.
What does the chair do?
Manages meetings and is the main link between the patient group and the practice staff.
The Patient Chair should:
Set the agenda of the meeting with a practice representative
Ensure all PPG members have equal opportunity to contribute to the meeting.
Ensure all agenda items are discussed in a timely manner.
Ensure actions are recorded and steps are taken to implement them.
The PPG should also have a Secretary to take the notes of the meeting, as this will help structure the PPG meetings and its activities. This role could rotate amongst the PPG members.
What does the secretary do?
Is responsible for supporting the chair and ensuring the group runs smoothly.
The Secretary should:
Take notes at the meeting and circulate them. They should include all action points agreed at the meeting.
The notes should be shared using the agreed method of communication for PPG Members; e.g. over email or via post.
