Did you know that the Vale has a Patient Participation Group (PPG) and that we are looking for new members to join the group?

So, what is a PPG?

From April 2016, it has been a contractual requirement for all English practices to form a patient participation group (PPG) Generally made up of a group of volunteer patients, the practice manager and one or more of the GPs from the practice, they meet on a regular basis to discuss the services on offer, and how improvements can be made for the benefit of patients and the practice.

Currently The Vale PPG meets 3 times a year normally at 7pm, but we are looking at the option at having a lunchtime/early afternoon session(s). If you would be interested in joining the PPG please click on the image below and complete the form. Alternatively, if you would like more information please email the Chair of the PPG who would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Please email us on vale.practice@nhs.net

The group would like to contact patients on occasion by email and/or text so that they can obtain the views of the widest group of patients possible. We would like to obtain your email address and mobile phone number to do this. Please complete the Patient Contact Form to provide your consent for this.

The purpose of the Patient Participation Group is: to ensure that patients and carers are involved in decisions about the range, shape and quality of services provided by their G.P. practice. The requirement aims to promote the proactive and innovative involvement of patients and carers through the use of effective Patient Participation Groups and to act on a range of sources of patient and carer feedback in order to improve the services delivered.

The beauty of PPGs is that there is no set way in which they work - the aims and work of each group entirely depends on local needs - but they have the aim of making sure that their practice puts the patient, and improving health, at the heart of everything it does. The PPG should be considered as a ‘Critical Friend’ to the GP practice.

The challenges ahead for GP practices is the financial stress being experienced by the NHS and the changes to clinical services being envisaged across the UK. Many of the challenges are being identified by the development of Sustainability & Transformation Plans which for Haringey will be a combined plan covering the 6 boroughs of North Central London. The future pressures for GP practices therefore could be challenging and an effective PPG made up from a cross section of The Vale patients will be invaluable.