What are the benefits of a Patient Participation Group?
PPGs are:
Good for patients because:
• Patients will be more responsible for their own health.
• Patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff.
• Patients will be consulted about arrangements for 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 concerns.
Good for practice staff because:
• GPs and their staff will be able to plan services jointly with patients in order to increase their effectiveness.
• They will be able to help patients with non-medical and social care issues.
• They will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives.
• They will have a forum to voice concerns, ideas and suggestions to patients.
• They will get closer to the community for whom they care.
Good for the community because:
• Patients will have an organisation through which they can identify their own needs.
• Patients will be able to get an idea of what is needed to improve healthcare, and make sure that the patient view is always represented.