Healthwatch and Patient Participation Groups (PPGs)
Please note: This page is currently under review following the recent announcement by the government that Healthwatch England is to be abolished as part of their plan to scrap 201 bodies which currently oversee and run parts of the NHS. We will keep you informed of developments
Government plans around the future of Healthwatch | Healthwatch
Page Contents
Healthwatch
Healthwatch England operates on both a national and local level to ensure that the views of the public and people who use the services are taken into account. It is not a regulatory body such as the Care Quality Commission and does not have direct responsibility to change practices. It does, however, have a statutory remit to collate evidence of service delivery standards nationally, and to ensure the regulators, other arms length bodies, and government departments, respond accordingly.
There is a local Healthwatch organisation in every local authority area in England. They will take the experiences people have of local care and use them to help shape local services.
Through the Healthwatch network, Healthwatch England will ensure the voices of people who use health and social care services are heard by the Secretary of State, the Care Quality Commission, Monitor, and every Local Authority in England. Healthwatch England provides leadership, support and advice to local Healthwatch organisations so they can become strong ambassadors for local people. They will gather and analyse information provided by local Healthwatch organisations and others to identify key issues and trends.
Local Healthwatch
Local Healthwatch organisations :
- have the power to enter and view services
- influence how services are set up and commissioned by having a seat on the local health and wellbeing board
- produce reports which influence the way services are designed and delivered
- provide information, advice and support about local services
- pass information and recommendations to Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission
For more information visit the Healthwatch England website and here to Find your local Healthwatch organisation
Patient Participation Groups
There is a contractual requirement for all practices to have in place and maintain a Patent Participation Group, comprising of members from its registered population. The PPG should:
- gather the views of patients about the practice.
- gather feedback about the practices services.
The practice must make reasonable efforts to make sure the PPG is representative of its population. The practice must regularly engage with the PPG to gather feedback and review that feedback.
The Patients Association has a PPG information and support pack available on the NHS England Website: Guidance for Starting a Patient Participation Group
Other useful information can be obtained from:
National Association for Patient Participation https://napp.org.uk
Safe working in general practice in England guidance-BMA
Useful Links
This Lunch and Learn resource introduces Patient Participation Groups (PPGs), explaining their role in supporting general practice, guiding practices on how to establish and run them effectively, and showing how they can engage patients to influence service improvements and community wellbeing.
A Patient’s Point of View – What is happening to General Practice?
Christopher Saunders (Patient) & Sarah Peters (Healthwatch) ask Dr Andy Purbrick (GP & Joint CEO, Wessex LMCs) the crucial questions that are at the front of so many people’s minds. Why can’t I ever see my own doctor? Why do I have to tell the receptionist what is wrong? Why are the surgery waiting rooms so empty? Listen in to a fascinating, honest and illuminating discussion.
Listen to the podcast here
