Patient Participation Group

About the The Westbank Practice Patient Participation Group (PPG)

The Westbank Practice Patient Participation Group has been running successfully for a number of years.

The group has arisen out of the enormous support that The Westbank Practice has received from patients in response to impending changes to the local Primary Care Trust. Other reasons include the government's desire for a "Patient Led NHS" and local Quality Frameworks that the practice is urged to work towards.

We feel it is important to continue to involve patients fully. This group is concerned with the development of the practice and the services to patients. The role of this group is perceived similar to that of critical friends. We are currently engaged in working together to explore ways in which patients' wishes may be fully represented at all levels and to guide the practice in its future direction.

The Group meets on a monthly basis and discusses a variety of issues with regard to the surgeries and services to patients. This often includes the changes taking place within the NHS and how they impact on The Westbank Practice. From time to time we invite guests from other Patient Groups, NHS Professionals and the voluntary sector to discuss relevant ideas and schemes.

Virtual PPG Members

We have found that with the busy lives everyone leads, it’s often difficult for patients to attend the regular meetings. We have created a “virtual PPG” allowing patients to contribute to the meetings without having to attend.

This will work by the PPG contacting the virtual members by email ahead of a meeting and asking them to submit subjects for discussion at the meeting. The committee (patients themselves) will review the suggestions received and will try to incorporate as many as possible into the meeting for discussion. Once discussed and actions agreed by the PPG and surgery, these will be communicated back to all members (including virtual members) in the form of written minutes from the meeting by email. Of course, it goes without saying that confidential medical issues cannot be discussed, but if there are general issues suitable for public discussion, anything will be considered.

We pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to our patients and although we are aware that we are considered to be one of the best surgeries in the area, we also recognise that we are not by any means perfect. We would like to learn from patient feedback from a ‘Virtual PPG’ to complement the existing group.

More information