Patient Participation Groups - PPGs

***STOP PRESS - Please Forward this e-mail from the BMA to your PPG to help with a survey "Striking A Balance"***

In 2007 the National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP) carried out a survey of GP practices in England. 37% of those that responded had a PPG - though this may be an overestimate as practices with a PPG are probably more likely to have responded. 44% of practices with a PPG felt that despite the time and effort required their group was worthwhile and influential in the life of the practice. Benefits included feedback and fresh ideas. In addition a well run PPG can contribute to discussions about the provision of local healthcare, helping to protect the practice from unreasonable change as well as supporting the implementation of good change.

With the development of the national patient survey and the growing requirement within practice based commissioning to engage with patients and the public there may be more practices who wish to explore this avenue.
The BMA's patient liaison group has produced guidance addressing the role of PPGs in practices. The guidance provides practical advice on setting up and running a successful PPG and concentrates on four areas

• why PPGs are beneficial
• how to set up a PPG
• how to run a PPG
• how to sustain a PPG

The BMA guidance can be found at http://www.bma.org.uk/patients_public/ppgintro.jsp

The NAPP website is at http://www.napp.org.uk

The Growing Patient Participation website is at  http://growingppgs.com/

Campaign update issue 5 of Growing Patient Participation

The Growing Patient Participation Group Toolkit

or if you would like to speak to someone about setting up a PPG, Audrey Hoggard, Secretary of NAPP, can be contacted at

AM Feb 09

updated FS June 2010