St Mary’s Patient Participation Group

 

Would you like to work with us to improve and expand services at the surgery?

We are hoping to create a team that will represent a diverse range of groups from across our community. Our emphasis will be on open communication and the exchange of ideas. Any patient registered with our practice is welcome to join the conversation!

Don’t worry if you cannot attend meetings as all correspondence will be conducted via e-mail. (However, there will be opportunities for the group to meet in person along with surgery representatives). 

Image of PPG Members

What is a Patient Participation Group (PPG)?

Every PPG is unique, and the group will determine its activities according to the needs of the community and the practice itself.

 Aims of the PPG can include – 

  • Encouraging and empowering patients to take responsibility for their own health and developing strategies to support patients in this regard.
  • Offering the patient’s perspective on the services that are provided.
  • Developing and taking part in patient surveys.
  • Meeting with practice staff both virtually and face-to-face to encourage open and constructive communication.
  • Trialling new systems introduced by the surgery and providing feedback.

The benefits of the Patient Participation Group (PPG)

There can be many benefits for both patients and for the surgery itself such as:

  • A greater understanding and knowledge amongst patients of the practice, its staff and how it operates within the structure of the NHS.
  • Improved communication and relationships between patients and staff
  • Increased effectiveness and efficiency from services jointly planned.
  • Patient empowerment

PPG Members Meeting

Image of a group of PPG members

How to Apply?

Just simply fill in the form below and we will be in touch!

APPLY TO JOIN THE PPG

For more information go to National Association for Patient Participation

Latest PPG Meeting Minutes

Should you require a copy of older meeting minutes please contact us

  • Date: Thursday 23 July 2026
  • Time: 6.30 pm
  • Venue: The Phoenix Centre, Windermere
  • Present: Mike Eddy, Dr Reddick, Dr Hughes, Sharon Holt, Helen Samson, Margaret Sales, David Lightfoot, Suresh Patel, Roger Newton, Rhoda Graham, Sue Young, Anne Young, Penny Henderson, Ann Casey, Wendy Lethbridge, Boyd Gilmore, Tim Goffe
  • Apologies: Christine Smith, Eileen Brannon-Dunlop, Don Morris, Christine Jones, Ken Hardcastle, Colin Ranshaw

Welcome and Introductions

The meeting was opened and members were welcomed.

Practice Update

Staffing and Personnel Changes

  • Dr Reddick became a Partner approximately one year ago, following a period of covering maternity leave.
  • Alyson has now retired and the practice has moved to a flatter management structure.
  • The role of the GP Assistant (GPA) was explained. 
  • Discussion took place around the broadening of staff roles, including physiotherapist Amanda Hensman-Crook, mental health practitioner Claire Carss and clinical pharmacist Lucy Wild.

Surgery Premises

  • The practice continues to experience limitations due to lack of space.
  • Plans are being considered to extend the building into the area currently occupied by the garage.
  • This would create an additional four consulting/treatment rooms.
  • Feedback from the PPG will be sought as plans develop.

Suggestions

  • Members suggested displaying information in waiting rooms explaining the different clinical roles within the practice and the services available, e.g. physiotherapy / mental health support.
  • The practice will look at completing this work by the end of the summer.

Primary Care and NHS Updates

  • NHS England continues to encourage greater use of online consultations.
  • Practice Partners remain cautious about moving fully to an online triage first model.
  • Feedback suggested that the current appointment system, both telephone and online access via the NHS app, works well.
  • Members acknowledged that online systems can be useful but may also present challenges for some patients.
  • It was agreed that it is important for patients to retain choice in how they access services and the PPG were fully supportive of the partner’s view of online triage.
  • The NHS App was discussed and generally viewed as helpful, although some patients experience difficulties using it.

Patient Experience and Feedback

Friends and Family Test (FFT)

  • Members were provided with a printout of Friends and Family Test results.
  • It was agreed that the surgery will provide paper FFT forms in waiting rooms for patients who may not use digital systems.

Text Messaging

  • Questions were raised regarding appointment reminder texts where patients share a telephone number.
  • The practice explained that its newer messaging system offers greater flexibility in the content of messages.
  • Members asked whether appointment reminders could provide clearer information about the purpose of appointments.

FFT Comparison Data

  • Discussion took place regarding whether patients may be less likely to provide feedback when dissatisfied.
  • Benchmarking against other local surgeries was discussed.

National GP Patient Survey

  • Survey forms are sent to approximately 1% of registered patients.
  • Response rates are broadly in line with national averages.
  • St Mary's Surgery continues to perform above both national and North West averages in a number of areas.

Accessibility

  • Members suggested reviewing the content and position of noticeboards to ensure information is easily accessible.
  • Translation and interpretation services were discussed. The practice confirmed that information can be made available in other languages where required.

PPG Feedback and Discussion

Community Information

  • Members discussed creating a notice for display on the TV screen at Windermere to direct patients to the community noticeboard in the entrance hall, which contains a wealth of useful information and signposting.

Community Directory

  • Mike updated the group on development of an online community database.
  • Community organisations will be able to update their own information directly.
  • The ICC team would be able to share this information to help those patients unable to access it themselves.

Foodbank Support

  • Discussion took place regarding foodbank services and examples from larger cities where GP practices are represented within foodbank settings,

Looking Forward

PPG Involvement and Patient Voice

  • Mike explained how the PPG could be effective in providing feedback to, and lobbying, the Commissioning Board. 
  • An example was given where the board intended to remove community provision of complex dressings, resulting in the need for patients to travel elsewhere for treatment. This was prevented through intervention by St Mary's management team; however, patient voices can be even more influential in shaping commissioning decisions.
  •  Hospital blood testing arrangements were highlighted as an area where patient feedback could be beneficial. The PPG agreed that they would be happy to be contacted by email regarding future similar issues.
  • Consideration is being given to seeking feedback from the wider patient population as changes develop.

PPG Engagement

  • Mike is planning to meet with Rhoda and Margaret regarding community initiatives.
  • Recruitment of new PPG members would be welcomed.

Any Other Business

No additional items were raised.

Date of Next Meeting

To be confirmed.