Terms of Reference

Purpose

The purpose of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) is to establish a system of communication with all registered patients in the practice, so that their views and concerns are fed back into the practice. The Group will be responsible for communicating news and information from the practice to patients.

The PPG will feedback relevant concerns/issues/good practice to the PPG Network, and other bodies when appropriate such as Healthwatch and CQC.

The decisions made by the PPG will be owned by the group rather than an individual.

Key Tasks and Objectives

The key tasks and objectives are to:

• Contribute to practice decision making and consult on service development and provision
• Provide constructive feedback whenever necessary on patient’s needs, concerns and interests to the practice 
• Represent patients as well as enabling them to understand the practice’s point of view
• Maintain confidentiality
• Provide a means for patients to make positive suggestions about the practice and their own healthcare 
• Work with the practice to promote health education 
• Help develop the practice survey and review/discuss the results of any practice surveys and help to develop an action plan as required
• Action proposals to enable enhanced quality outcomes.

Membership

• Contribution to the group is voluntary and open to all patients registered at the practice; however there should ideally be a good demographic spread to represent the practice population.
• Group meetings will be attended by consistent representatives who will contribute to the Key Tasks and Objectives in a variety of offices/roles.
• The group will elect a Chair and Vice Chair who should be a patient registered at the practice. 
• The group will elect a Secretary who will take the minutes which will be circulated to all members and made available to any patients on request. The minutes will be recorded on the Practice Website.
• Elected Officers will serve a term of one year which may be extended up to a maximum of 3 years.
• The practice manager or a support member from the practice team, or one GP will attend each meeting (schedule permitting).
• Other members of the practice team may be invited to attend to discuss specific issues.
• The meeting will be held and considered quorate when four or more members of the group excluding the designate manager and GP are in attendance.
• Decision making will be transparent and noted. Declaration of interest is required by members prior to voting and decision making.
• A practice Doctor will attend the AGM (Annual General Meeting).
• The group will be affiliated to the National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP). NB. Subscription paid by The Westbank Practice

Review of Terms of Reference

The terms of reference will be reviewed on an annual basis.