The Patient Participation Group consists of volunteers, and it exists to improve communication both ways between patients and the practice on matters which are likely to affect patients in general (not individual cases). They act as a ‘critical friend’ to help the practice continually improve its standards.
From the PPG meeting on 16th May 2024, reception now have privacy slips that can be used at the front desk to alert the receptionist if you would like to speak more privately, or would like a personal message conveyed to them without worry of other patients overhearing.
The practice will also be introducing a queueing space for the front desk as suggested by the PPG.
The PPG members will be volunteering to help our patients in reception and the waiting room with checking in to appointments, completing self-taken blood pressure checks, filling in the Friends and Family Tests, and to be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the group and its activities
Join our Patient Participation Group
All registered patients are able to join our Patient Participation Group. People of all genders, ages, ethnicities, and those with health conditions and disabilities are encouraged to join.
Members should as far as possible, be representative of the surgery population.
To join:
- fill out a join our Patient Participation Group form
- phone us on 01531 820689
How the PPG has helped improve the surgery
The Patient Participation Group at Newent’s doctors’ practice has been following up problems reported by some patients who collect their medication from the dispensary attached to the surgery. At its meeting on 12 January the PPG heard about the causes of the problems and how the new dispensary manager is working to establish rigorous handling procedures and improve staff training to make individual items easier to locate first time. She also explained a new ‘diary box’ system which gives patients the option of depositing their next repeat request in advance when they collect their medication. As all their users live outside a one-mile radius, this is convenient for them as well, saving a trip into town. It even eases congestion in the surgery entrance.
In any event all patients can help by putting in their requests a week before they run out, and they should avoid last-minute requests if they can because urgent orders inevitably cause extra work. On the other hand, ordering on-line (using the NHS app or a web-based service) lightens the load and even allows some of the work to be done remotely when there are peaks. And although at the moment it isn’t possible to get text alerts like those enjoyed by users of the Day Lewis pharmacy in town, the dispensary manager hopes that a change to their software systems will allow them to add that service.
The PPG also asked whether a self-service kiosk could be installed but this had been ruled out for reasons of space and cost.
If you have ideas or comments for the PPG to consider, please contact the PPG.