ADVICE PPGs
They may form part of CQC compliance, but well-run patient participation groups can be more than just another box-ticking exercise
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SUMMER 2013 ISSUE 8
P
ATIENT choice has become something of a buzz- phrase recently as the NHS undergoes major changes.
“Respecting and involving patients” is one of the re-
quirements of registration with the Care Quality Commis- sion in England and, with that in mind, the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee has advised medical practices to have a “patient participation scheme” in place. Many practices may already feel overwhelmed by pa-
perwork and the thought of setting up a patient participa- tion group (PPG) may seem like just another box-ticking exercise.
But, done well, PPGs can be an excellent way of involv- ing people in local healthcare decision-making and can provide valuable feedback. By choosing the right people they can help practices better respond to patients’ wants and needs and improve practice-patient relations. PPGs can be found across the UK in both medical and
dental practices, with more than half of English medi- cal practices operating one. PPGs do operate in Scotland although they are not a contractual or statutory require- ment. The Scottish Health Council promotes the benefits of PPGs as a means of public involvement and recently published practical guidance regarding the scheme. A 2010 NHS circular containing recommendations on engag- ing with patients states that general practices “should be able to demonstrate that patient or other lay involvement is welcomed and enabled in all aspects of the delivery and planning of services.”
GETTING STARTED The National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) is an umbrella organisation for patient-led groups within UK general practices. They define a PPG as a group of people who “work with their practices to provide practical support, to help patients to take more responsibility for their own health and to provide strategic input and advice. They are based on cooperation between the practice staff and patients. They help to improve communication.” Guidance on setting up a PPG makes clear that a key el-
ement of success is that the group is representative of the patient population in terms of age, gender, race, physical abilities and so on. Look for motivated people with useful skill sets who are willing to share decision-making in the running of the practice and not those simply interested in attending for coffee and a chat. A structure must also be in place for regular engage-
ment and the group should have a strategic and overarch- ing focus. Every PPG is different and can choose which direction it wishes to take, whether to focus purely on strategic input or to include wider issues such as improv- ing communication and promoting good health. A PPG scheme tends to involve regular face-to-face
meetings which should ideally be attended at times by a GP and/or practice manager (particularly for the first few meetings). They can also be virtual, where contact is made with a patient group via email. Whatever the format, make clear from the start that the group is not a forum for pursuing individual personal complaints or single issue
PATIE POWE
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