Lucky girl  but if your practice has a PPG - as a registered patient you would automatically be a part of it. However, if you rarely visit your surgery you might not have heard about it - or they may just not have formed one.

The idea is that every patient is automatically a member if the surgery runs a PPG and you can be as active a member or not - as you prefer.

I only ask because during my research for our group it seemed to me that the PPG's were quite prolific around the country yet no one I had spoken to had ever heard of them.

Ooh that is interesting - I Googled to see how many PPG groups there are and found this website but it seems to have excluded Scotland and Wales

Not sure if these countries have their own schemes or not.

http://www.growingppgs.com/ppg-map/

I only asked as I have to give a talk about them and as we seem to be a fairly widespread group of people on here thought it would be interesting to get some views from other group members.

If anyone is interested then there is a website for them (I'm not promoting them or involved in the National organisation in any way) just in case you might be interested.

http://www.napp.org.uk/

Having seen how 'people power' seems to be having some effect lately here in UK and aound the world I was wondering if Doctors might just have to sit up and listen a bit more to the needs and concerns of their patients when there is an effective PPG running. Or if it helps the community to pull together and help each other then that could be a good thing as well.

I know just what you mean Aly but this is something pointed out and repeated at every meeting and on all documents - this is not a vehicle for complaints.

It should be a great way to get your concerns and ideas for improvements across to the GP's but it should also be a way to do something for the community you live in a well. It's not a focus group as such and it does need a lot of hard work and committment from those who can help run the group. My biggest fear is that it will fall to a few well intentioned people to keep it going whilst the vast majority just take it for granted. However, if someone doesn't have a go at getting it up and running then you'll never know if it can work - tough call.

I have spent a little bit of time reading about the PPG's which have been successful and they really do sound great, but for every one of them I'm fairly sure there will be plenty that have failed through lack of interest.

I was amazed to find out that they have been around since 1978 - and I've only just heard about them and virtually everyone I speak to says the same. Very poor advertising from the GP's. 

Hmm - all a bit worrying isn't it. When you would think they should realise the group is there to try and improve services for everyone. Pure selfishness, but I guess the person Chairing the meeting should be able to stop all that.

Some of the services that have been provided include home visits for the housebound and elderly, bereavement counselling, free transport to surgery or hospital provided by volunteers, diet advice, diabetes support group, basic parenting skills....the list goes on and on. Also improvements to appointment system and waiting room facilities.....much needed in some practices. If you feel you have contributed in some way no matter how small then why are there still the selfish ones allowed to dominate the meetings....beats me.

Looks like it should be a lively meeting