PPGs


An audience on participation


With changes to the NHS that see the public put first and new DESs, patient participation groups are more important for practices than ever. CARRIE SERVICE sits in on an anonymous PPG meeting in West Sussex to find out what is being discussed, where the priorities lie and how patients feel about changes to the NHS


P


atient participant groups made the news recently when concerns were raised about their members being


asked to sit on CCG boards as lay members. They were accused of being too “parochial” and “insular” to be able to grapple with the issues raised by commissioning, and said to have a “lack of leadership skills” – at least to the standards required by CCGs. But in their own right, PPGs make an important contribution to primary care, acting as a platform for patients to be heard – should they choose to speak. Having a PPG has also become a welcome source of income, with the introduction of the DES last year. But just what goes on in a PPG meeting? Knowing what a rarity a well-attended group is, I managed to track one down and they (very kindly) allowed be to observe their meeting. Here’s what I found out.


32 february 2013


management


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