What is a Patient Participation Group? Worthen Medical Practice has had an active PPG since 2004.
Dec 30, 2015
What is a Patient Participation Group?
Worthen Medical Practice has had an active PPG since 2004.
A group of patients who meet together to learn from each other
and represent patients’ interests.
Worthen PPG is independent of the surgery but works in partnership to
make things better for patients.
Patients can participate as much or as little as they like.
Patients and the surgery work together to improve services and promote
healthy living.
The WPPG meets regularly on the 4th Wednesday of the month to discuss health issues of interest, hear talks from
local initiatives and develop projects.
A public meeting was held in May 2009.
We asked local people what they felt could be provided for patients.
Over 70 people including 4 parish & 3 county councillors
attended the event. Suggestions from most of the tables were about the difficulty finding out what services were
available locally
Suggestions from participants included:
A pop in café Keep fit activities and dance classes Help finding out where to go & who to askFirst aid training Companionship and visiting for .
housebound or isolated patients
The Callow Café coffee mornings are held on the first and third Fridays of the month at the
Methodist Chapel providing an opportunity for both patients and members of the local community
to meet together in convivial surroundings while enjoying home
baking at minimal cost.
A Pop-in Café
Gentle Xtend exercise sessions for the not so young continue to be
held. Each session includes a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and a chat. In November 2012 the Xtend
class celebrated its 3rd year of meeting and exercising.
Keep fit & dance classes
Street dancing taster sessions for young people
The group is friendly and sociable and laughter can always be heard. Each session costs £4 which includes a cup of tea or coffee, a biscuit & chat.
Xtend exercise sessions
Phone:891383
for details
The ‘Health Walking Group’ meets at 10.00am on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at the Community Centre in Worthen. This Group organises short walks and a chat and is suitable for people with limited mobility.
Health Walking Group
Health Walking Group
Contact Tony Payne
on 01743
891915 For more details
The monthly WPPG meetings provide information from a variety of local organisations. Visiting speakers have discussed a range of issues: * GP led health centres * out patient appointments * patient involvement * patient surveys * the local area strategic plan
Help in knowing where to go & who to ask
WPPG members have collected considerable knowledge about many services available locally.
Four British Red Cross first aid training sessions were provided at minimal cost
and were well attended by Worthen Medical practice
patients.
Training in first aid
Companionship and visiting for housebound
Several members have trained as CoCo (Compassionate Communities) volunteers to
provide practical and emotional support to unsupported patients across the practice area. They visit patients with long term conditions in
their own homes, on a regular basis for approximately one hour per week.
The WPPG newsletter is published from time to time to inform patients on the work and
successes of the group. Copies can be obtained from the surgery, e-mailed to you or available on
the practice website.
Communication - newsletters
WPPG members can receive email updates about what is happening at the county and national levels that affects patients and other health
issues of interest. Minutes of WPPG meetings and the Shropshire Patients’ Group are also
circulated
Communication - emails
Why not sign up to become connected and
receive updates?
WPPG has information pages on Worthen Medical Practice website:
www.worthenmedicalpractice.nhs.uk
There is a wealth of useful information on this site
Communication - website
WPPG has played a major role in gathering patients views for recent practice surveys — the results of which can be seen on
the practice website
Communication - surveys
0
20
40
60
80
100
Yes No Did not answer
Question OneThe reception staff are helpful and courteous?
% of answers
During 2013, WPPG members aim to investigate further the issues raised during the previous
survey and capture the views of a more diverse group of patients.
Communication - surveys
Topics to be discussed are: • medicines management at the practice • satisfaction with access at the surgery• the availability/accessibility of patient information.
During 2014, our brand new surgery premises will become a reality.
WPPG members are supporting the work of the new practice, by providing much
needed equipment and comforts for the benefit of patients through funds raised
voluntarily in much the same way as a hospital League of Friends
does.
Exciting times ahead
Our new surgerySo far, profit from the Callow Café and donations to
the group have raised just over £2,800
This is almost enough for the 24 hour Holter monitor (£3,000).
The group is now raising £5,000 for an ECG machine
WPPG is raising £5,000 for an ECG machine
How could you help?
If we all help in a little way it will mean that the total is achieved sooner and everyone will benefit.
Can you help us to meet the total?
The WPPG is immensely supportive of the practice in its application for funding for a new surgery and is currently
fund raising.
How can you help?There are plenty of great fundraising opportunities:
SponsoringDonatingBakingRafflesQuizzes
Craft salesPromise auction
Please help us to achieve our total
WPPG is always open to new members and is particularly keen to recruit younger members
and patients from the wider community to more accurately reflect their views.
Becoming connected
We are especially keen to make sure that the group is fully
representative of our patients and therefore invite anyone with an
interest to enquire about joining.
Becoming connected
Please contact Tim Worley for further details: [email protected] tel: 01743 891587
There are two levels of participation:
1. Join the group and come along to our meetings to discuss issues and help to improve services provided locally.
2. If you would like to be involved but may not be able to commit the time needed to attend meetings, why not join our Virtual Patient Group?
Becoming connected
Is for Patients who are willing to be contacted occasionally for their opinion, answer a
question or two or to participate in a short questionnaire by email.
You will also receive an electronic copy of our newsletter.
If you are interested please contact Tim Worley or pick up a VPG form at the surgery.
The Virtual Patient Group