Patient Participation Group

Next PPG Meeting and Committee Election

The next PPG meeting is on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 in the Lower meeting room of Buxton Methodist Church on the Market Square. The meeting will be from 12 noon to about 1.30 pm. All welcome!

We are hoping to elect the following officers to the committee:

  • Chair person
  • Vice chairperson
  • Secretary

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) are volunteers who work with the practice to represent patients, offering views on the services and facilities that are provided.  Our feedback is taken seriously and has already resulted in a more dementia friendly waiting room, extra guidance on accessing and using the surgery’s online services and arranging speakers on issues of concern to patients.  

The group also performs an annual Patient Satisfaction Survey in February/March of each year and, with the results from the National GP Survey, uses these to agree actions for improvements with the practice. This year, due to Coronavirus, we were unable to run the usual Patient Satisfaction Survey, but our latest report can be found here: PPG Report 2020.

WHEN DO WE MEET AND HOW DO WE WORK?

We aim to meet once a quarter, usually at the surgery or in a room in the church on the Market Place. If you can’t attend but would like to stay in touch, you can join our E-mail list and we will send you the documents in advance of the meetings and pass on any concerns/suggestions you may have. For the minutes of the last meeting, please use the following link: Minutes of SMC PPG Meeting February 2020.

NEXT MEETING: Due to Coronavirus we are not able to hold face to face meetings at present.  Please email the address below or contact the practice if you are interested in attending a Zoom meeting online. 

Our way of working is detailed in our constitution available through the following link: PPG Constitution.

FUTURE PLANS

We value your opinions and hope to broaden our PPG over the coming months and recruit as many additional patients as possible.  Together we really can make a difference and assist the practice with new initiatives and ideas. Please feel free to share any comments or suggestions you may have either via our suggestion box in the waiting room or e-mail us at smcvppg@gmail.com. We will do our best to answer or put into practice your suggestions.

If you wish to join, please complete the online membership form Complete the Patient Group Sign-up Form Online. Many thanks for your assistance.

Ways to Provide Feedback on Our Performance

JOINT PPG AND PRACTICE ANNUAL SURVEY

The Patient Participation Group (PPG) and the practice perform an annual Patient Satisfaction Survey in February/March of each year. The questions vary each year according to the concerns of the PPG or the practice and to provide a crosscheck againt the GP Annual Survey. In February/March, you can complete the forms online or in Reception. The conclusions from your responses are in the latest report which can be found here on the PPG page and are used to agree actions for improvements to the practice. You can always provide feedback via the Patient Participation Group.

ANNUAL GP SURVEY

The GP Patient Survey is an independent survey run by Ipsos MORI on behalf of NHS England. The survey is posted out to over a million people across the UK. The results show how people feel about their GP practice. To find out how the Stewart Medical Centre compares with other practices click on GP patient survey. The site allows you to compare up to three practices at a time.

FRIENDS & FAMILY TEST

The NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT) was created to help service providers understand whether their patients are happy with the service provided or where improvements are needed. It is a quick and anonymous way to give your views after receiving care or treatment across the NHS. The FFT leaflets are always available in the surgery for you to give your views. If you wish to complete the form online, please click on Online Friends & Family Test.

COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS

Please send us your comments and suggestions by completing the online form Send us your comments or suggestions or the form in the surgery by the suggestion box. Please only use this form for comments about the practice and suggestions as to how we can improve our service to you. Medical matters and official complaints cannot be dealt with via this form. If you have a query regarding a medical matter please telephone reception to make an appointment to see the appropriate person.