Health Chiefs in Doncaster are supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of patient participation in GP practices to help meet the needs of local people.
Patient Participation Awareness Week organised by the National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) takes place from June 2 to 7 and will promote the role and benefits of Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) and their involvement in achieving the highest quality care for all patients.
All GP practices in Doncaster have a PPG, which usually meets every six to eight weeks, and they are always looking for new members to join. PPGs welcome young people, working people, retirees, carers, parents, people with long term health conditions and people from non-British ethnic groups to ensure a better representative model.
The aim of the groups is to give patients an opportunity to meet, discuss the services on offer and support their local practiced to help improve those services where necessary.
PPGs can help patients to access appropriate information to make more informed decisions about their care. They also provide opportunities for patients to take an active role in working alongside their local practices to improve the patient experience and encourage people to take greater responsibility for their own health.
Dr Nabeel Alsindi, Clinical Lead for Primary Care at Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group said: "Effective PPGs bring significant benefits to the local practices in Doncaster by helping to improve services and help practice staff be proactive in providing services that truly reflect what patients want and need. Most importantly they can help develop mutually supportive networks outside the GP or nurse appointment."
Members of the PPG also act as a link to the wider community and can provide practical support at times by running patient surveys, health awareness events and campaigns.
If you have an interest in health, and you feel that you could make a positive contribution in supporting your local health service then please contact your local GP practice direct or register your interest here https://www.primarycaredoncaster.co.uk/join-a-ppg