PPG Aims and Objectives

What we are trying to achieve, and how we work with Mereside Medical Practices

Read our full Constitution and Terms of Reference here

Aim of the PPG

The overall aim of the PPG is to develop a positive and constructive relationship between patients, the Practices and the community they serve, ensuring that the Practices remain accountable and responsive to the needs of all their patients.

PPG Objectives

The primary objectives through which the Group will achieve its aim are as follows: 

1. To support the Practices to develop or improve existing and/or new health services, by providing patients, practice partners, and practice staff a forum in which to meet, exchange ideas and information, and take action, as appropriate. 
2. To facilitate patient awareness and understanding of how to make best use of Practice health services, by acting as a two-way communication channel between Practices and patients. 
3. To identify health education needs in the community and work with Practices to improve patient access to reliable information about health issues, sources of help, and support of healthy lifestyles. 
4. To carry out fundraising activities as required, to support the running costs and work of the Group. 
5. To support the Practices in other areas as may arise from time to time, and as appropriate to the overall aim of the Group.

Mereside PPG Terms of Reference

1. SUPPORT. The Group will support patients and staff and act as a critical friend to the practices. We will share positive comments and concerns. We will provide considered and constructive suggestions in response to information or data that are shared with us by Mereside Medical in a format as agreed from time to time between the Group and Mereside Medical. In response to requests from Mereside Medical the Group will write letters or other communications in support of Practice initiatives.
    
2. LISTEN. We will listen to patients when they talk to us, collate their comments and share themes at Group meetings as appropriate, and we will signpost them to Practice policies or websites when the matter is outside of our expertise. We listen to members of the wider community by inviting them to address our meetings (e.g. voluntary organisations, community and local organisations, etc).
    
3. ACT. We will be proactive in acting on our findings and decisions, and supporting the Practices to initiate developments, changes, improvements, etc. 
    
4. COMMUNICATE.  We will communicate to patients about wider health issues and/or any service changes that may be made in response to feedback; and we will work closely with Mereside Medical to ensure such communications are well aligned with Mereside’s own communications. We will be clear in all our communications that we are not formal representatives of Mereside Medical but rather a two-way conduit between patients and practice.
    
5. INVOLVE. We will involve patients by inviting them to attend our meetings and any health events that we may organise. We will try to increase membership and improve its representativeness wherever possible.
    
6. COMMIT. We commit to respecting Practice and patient confidentiality at all times.