Promoting patient participation to save general practice
The front door to the NHS is buckling and it is up to the nation to support it – not just policy makers, not just medical practitioners, but all of us.
This week is Patient Participation Group Awareness Week and we are highlighting the critical role patients need to play now to empower their communities, uphold general practice and support the NHS.
Letter to the Times by our Patron, Sir Denis Pereira Gray “Why general practitioners are invaluable to the NHS”
Published 25/11/21
The National Association for Patient Participation (CIO) is holding the first Annual General Meeting (AGM), followed by a seminar on the subject of ‘Access’.
Date: Saturday 6th November
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Teleconference (via Zoom)
Seminar keynote speakers: Dr Farah Jameel (BMA), Gemma Jackson (Chair, Thornton Practice PPG), Closing remarks: Sir Denis Pereira Gray (Patron N.A.P.P.)
The National Association for Patient Participation (N.A.P.P.), the national voice for patient participation in Primary Care, is looking to recruit a new Chairperson. The outgoing Chairperson, Dr Folarin Majekodunmi is stepping down after serving a 3-year term
The National Association for Patient Participation (N.A.P.P.), the national voice for patient participation in Primary Care, is looking to recruit a number of new trustees, including a Board Secretary, to the Board.
On 8 July NHS England announced the results of the 2021 GP Patient Survey, which provides insights on patients’ experience of primary care services, including access to these services.
From 22 April – 12 May the National Association for Patient participation ran a nation-wide survey, asking both our members and the general public to share the concerns and issues they are facing within primary care.
Our PPG volunteers, plus some from a sister PPG, plus some unaffiliated volunteers have supported Red House PPG with vaccination clinics since they started in December. So far we have supported the surgery for 31 week’s worth of clinics, providing nearly 4,000 hours of support.
The past year certainly gave us all challenges; the first one was learning to use Zoom to keep in touch, have committee meetings, etc! Along with all other leaflets and items in our Practice’s Reception area, the PPG table had to be cleared, but we were given a new, glass fronted display board, and allowed access to keep news coming for those patients visiting the Practice – mostly information on the many on-line activities springing up, such as talks, health advice, and help with IT access.
Determined to set up a Patient Participation Group, we decided we needed support. As such, we applied for membership of NAPP and paid the joining fee ourselves. This was money very well spent. A small but committed working group of patients are now better informed by NAPP’s very helpful guidance. We are again fired with enthusiasm and have succeeded in setting up a meeting with an enlightened partner of the practice and the practice manager.