Definition of a patient participation group

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of patients, carers, and GP practice staff who meet to discuss practice issues and patient experiences to help improve the service.

Since April 2015, it has been a contractual requirement of NHS England for all GP practices to have a PPG and to make reasonable efforts for this group to be representative of the practice population.

The purpose of a PPG:

• To give patients and practice staff the opportunity to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest.
• To provide a means for patients to become more involved and make suggestions about the healthcare services they receive.
• To explore issues from patient surveys, contribute to action plans, and help monitor improvements.
• To contribute feedback to the practice on patient survey results and Friends and Family Tests by proposing developments or changes.
• To support health awareness and patient education.

What should a PPG look like?

A PPG is open to every patient on the GP practice list. All communities, groups, genders, ages, ethnicities, and disabilities representing the patient list are encouraged to join. There are no other membership requirements, except that patients must be registered with the practice.

PPG members should, as far as possible, be representative of the practice population. In some cases, the practice can ask for support from their local Healthwatch to assist in the recruitment of patients.

We also allow members of representative groups from the local area. This might include individuals who run local support groups and are thus able to provide valuable insight into the patients they serve.

What can a PPG do?

Discuss constructive suggestions for improving the practice and share concerns that could affect the wider practice population.

Organise health-focused events with the practice, such as a healthy eating awareness event for all practice patients to attend.

Create a patient survey with practice staff to get feedback about the practice from the rest of the patient population.

Design a newsletter for the practice to provide regular updates to patients.

Assist the practice in ensuring their website is ‘Patient Friendly’.

Engage with the local community through fundraising events and useful health information to ensure the PPG is representative.

Invite health and voluntary professionals to PPG meetings, allowing PPG members to remain informed and updated about local opportunities for patients.

What can a PPG not do?

PPG members cannot provide any medical advice to other patients.

PPG members cannot deal with personal/medical issues.

PPG members cannot get involved in individual patient complaints during the meeting. These should be dealt with outside the meeting, following the practice's already established procedures.