What is a Patient Participation Group?
A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of volunteer patients who work with the practice team to help improve services and ensure the patient voice is heard. Every GP practice is required by the NHS to have a PPG.
All patients registered permanently with the practice are automatically enrolled into the PPG, unless they choose to opt out. This includes those who opted in to join the group before October 2024.
At Fernville, we also have a smaller core team within the PPG called the Liaison Group. This group meets occasionally to discuss ideas and feedback.
What does PPG Membership mean?
PPG membership is open to all registered patients. Many members prefer to be part of this group (much like a virtual group) — staying involved online without attending meetings.
As a PPG member, you’ll receive:
- Practice newsletters
- Meeting minutes
- Patient surveys
- Updates about the surgery
It’s a flexible way to stay informed, share feedback and be involved — especially if attending meetings isn’t possible due to work, caring responsibilities, or other commitments.
If you would like more information about PPG membership, please get in touch- we’d love to hear from you!
- Ask at reception during your next visit
- Complete our online form
How often does the PPG Liaison Group meet?
The smaller Liaison Group meets in person at the surgery- but meetings are kept to a minimum and only when needed. Don’t worry if you can’t attend meetings — there are still plenty of ways to get involved and have your say.
What can the PPG Liaison Group do to help?
There are many ways you can help:
- Talk to other patients in the waiting room about joining the group or promoting services such as the NHS App or online access
- Contribute ideas or information for the Fernville Focus quarterly newsletter
- Tell your friends and family about online services
- Support the practice at a health events
- Consider setting up a social media page
- Create a patient survey with practice staff
- Help ensure the website is ‘patient friendly’
Will my views be heard?
Your views are important and will be listened to. While it may not be possible to act on every suggestion, all feedback is valuable.
We aim to foster an environment of mutual respect, openness, and trust, where all patients’ perspectives are discussed and work together to explore solutions.
Please note that these meetings are focused on the needs of the broader community, rather than resolving individual issues or complaints.
We want to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard fairly.
Just one of the improvements suggested by the PPG was to provide higher chairs in the waiting room to support patients with mobility difficulties.
With your help, we can continue to make Fernville Surgery as welcoming and patient-friendly as possible.
Next Meeting Date
Wednesday 23rd April 2025