What Does it Involve?
Groups usually meet monthly or bi-monthly and
consider health and service issues. There are usually around 10-12
members. They may have different emphases depending on the practice.
Some are single issue and focus on a particular condition. Some
address specific health campaigns while others concentrate on
service areas. Many groups cover all of these; it varies from
practice to practice depending on the community served.
Some of the areas you may discuss are identifying
local needs and concerns, consulting with others and commenting on
consultation documents. You may consider practice opening times or
how the appointments system is working. Groups may look at
individual health issues such as diabetes or set up a subgroup of
patients to consider aspects of how the practice can best serve that
user group.
You could find yourself distributing
questionnaires and surveys to patients and analysing the results, or
taking steps to ensure a ‘joined up’ service with other local health
care providers such as hospitals. Organise open days for patients,
distribute information or develop local campaigns, such as promoting
a healthy lifestyle. You could even get involved in fundraising.
Volunteer members can also give invaluable views to doctors on
broader local and national issues which can help shape future
services.
Some practices don’t have ongoing groups but call
on volunteers to consider specific issues. Register your interest in
getting involved and the practice will keep your details on a
database. If your surgery doesn’t have any kind of group suggest
setting one up. Talk to your practice manager or contact the
National Association of Patient Participation for advice.
