What is a Patient Participation Group?

Worthen Medical Practice has had an active PPG since 2004. 

A group of patients who meet together to learn from each other

and represent patients’ interests.

Worthen PPG is independent of the surgery but works in partnership to

make things better for patients.

Patients can participate as much or as little as they like.

 

Patients and the surgery work together to improve services and promote

healthy living.

The WPPG meets regularly on the 4th Wednesday of the month to discuss health issues of interest, hear talks from

local initiatives and develop projects.

A public meeting was held in May 2009.

We asked local people what they felt could be provided for patients.

Over 70 people including 4 parish & 3 county councillors

attended the event. Suggestions from most of the tables were about the difficulty finding out what services were

available locally

Suggestions from participants included:

A pop in café Keep fit activities and dance classes Help finding out where to go & who to askFirst aid training Companionship and visiting for .

housebound or isolated patients

The Callow Café coffee mornings are held on the first and third Fridays of the month at the

Methodist Chapel providing an opportunity for both patients and members of the local community

to meet together in convivial surroundings while enjoying home

baking at minimal cost.

A Pop-in Café

Gentle Xtend exercise sessions for the not so young continue to be

held. Each session includes a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit and a chat. In November 2012 the Xtend

class celebrated its 3rd year of meeting and exercising.

Keep fit & dance classes

Street dancing taster sessions for young people

The group is friendly and sociable and laughter can always be heard. Each session costs £4 which includes a cup of tea or coffee, a biscuit & chat.

Xtend exercise sessions

Phone:891383

for details

The ‘Health Walking Group’ meets at 10.00am on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at the Community Centre in Worthen. This Group organises short walks and a chat and is suitable for people with limited mobility.

Health Walking Group

Health Walking Group

Contact Tony Payne

on 01743

891915 For more details

The monthly WPPG meetings provide information from a variety of local organisations. Visiting speakers have discussed a range of issues: * GP led health centres * out patient appointments * patient involvement * patient surveys * the local area strategic plan

Help in knowing where to go & who to ask

WPPG members have collected considerable knowledge about many services available locally.

Four British Red Cross first aid training sessions were provided at minimal cost

and were well attended by Worthen Medical practice

patients.

Training in first aid

Companionship and visiting for housebound

Several members have trained as CoCo (Compassionate Communities) volunteers to

provide practical and emotional support to unsupported patients across the practice area. They visit patients with long term conditions in

their own homes, on a regular basis for approximately one hour per week.

The WPPG newsletter is published from time to time to inform patients on the work and

successes of the group. Copies can be obtained from the surgery, e-mailed to you or available on

the practice website. 

Communication - newsletters

WPPG members can receive email updates about what is happening at the county and national levels that affects patients and other health

issues of interest. Minutes of WPPG meetings and the Shropshire Patients’ Group are also

circulated

Communication - emails

Why not sign up to become connected and

receive updates?

WPPG has information pages on Worthen Medical Practice website:

www.worthenmedicalpractice.nhs.uk

There is a wealth of useful information on this site

Communication - website

WPPG has played a major role in gathering patients views for recent practice surveys — the results of which can be seen on

the practice website

Communication - surveys

0

20

40

60

80

100

Yes No Did not answer

Question OneThe reception staff are helpful and courteous?

% of answers

During 2013, WPPG members aim to investigate further the issues raised during the previous

survey and capture the views of a more diverse group of patients.

Communication - surveys

Topics to be discussed are: • medicines management at the practice • satisfaction with access at the surgery• the availability/accessibility of patient information.

During 2014, our brand new surgery premises will become a reality.

WPPG members are supporting the work of the new practice, by providing much

needed equipment and comforts for the benefit of patients through funds raised

voluntarily in much the same way as a hospital League of Friends

does.  

Exciting times ahead

Our new surgerySo far, profit from the Callow Café and donations to

the group have raised just over £2,800

This is almost enough for the 24 hour Holter monitor (£3,000).

The group is now raising £5,000 for an ECG machine  

 

WPPG is raising £5,000 for an ECG machine

  How could you help?

If we all help in a little way it will mean that the total is achieved sooner and everyone will benefit.

Can you help us to meet the total?

 

The WPPG is immensely supportive of the practice in its application for funding for a new surgery and is currently

fund raising.

  How can you help?There are plenty of great fundraising opportunities:

SponsoringDonatingBakingRafflesQuizzes

Craft salesPromise auction

 

Please help us to achieve our total

 

WPPG is always open to new members and is particularly keen to recruit younger members

and patients from the wider community to more accurately reflect their views.  

Becoming connected

We are especially keen to make sure that the group is fully

representative of our patients and therefore invite anyone with an

interest to enquire about joining.    

 

Becoming connected

Please contact Tim Worley for further details: worleytim@yahoo.co.uk tel: 01743 891587

There are two levels of participation:

1. Join the group and come along to our meetings to discuss issues and help to improve services provided locally.

2. If you would like to be involved but may not be able to commit the time needed to attend meetings, why not join our Virtual Patient Group?

 

 

Becoming connected

 Is for Patients who are willing to be contacted occasionally for their opinion, answer a

question or two or to participate in a short questionnaire by email.

You will also receive an electronic copy of our newsletter.

If you are interested please contact Tim Worley or pick up a VPG form at the surgery.

 

 

The Virtual Patient Group