NEWS FROM THE LOCAL DOCTORS
AN INVITATION TO JOIN YOUR PPG
(Patients Participation Group)
Confused about what’s happening with healthcare in
this area?
Do you know how to get your voice heard?
All GP Practices are required to
have a Patient Participation Group.
There are no requirements about how a PPG should operate, and it’s up to
each Practice, but their role is to be a ‘critical friend’ on behalf of patients.
PPG’s work to foster communication between patients, doctors, carers and all
who work in the Practice. They support
the Practice’s objectives and give feedback to the Practice on patients views
and concerns. They also act as a forum for discussion on general health
matters, including promotion of good health and prevention of disease; this may
include public meetings on topics of general interest.
We’re all aware of the rapid
expansion in the Didcot area, with many new homes and new residents arriving. Sadly, investment into infrastructure to
support this expansion has been poor; a small area of land in Great Western
Park has been allocated for a GP Practice , but the submitted plans are still a
cause of argument and debate. This is
not the fault of the Practices, who are working hard to deal with the pressures
of ever-increasing workloads. The three
Didcot Surgeries are now collaborating, through the Didcot Primary Care
Network, to offer integrated primary and community health care, enhanced
services and additional advances in patient care, through multidisciplinary
teams. The Didcot PCN is still at an early stage and the three PPG’s are
supporting the Practices in this important initiative.
The PPG’s welcome active
membership to ensure there is continuity in medical facilities for the growing
population in this area. The more members there are, the higher the volume of
the collective PPG voice in support of the Partners and Staff of our valued GP
Practices.
As Chairs / Representatives of
the three PPG’s we will be writing regular articles to keep you informed on
local healthcare developments.
In some Practices, patients are
automatically members of the PPG, but can opt to become active members,
participating in meetings, surveys, consultations, etc. In
other Practices, you may need to apply specifically. Check your Practice’s website or ask at
Reception for further details.
Andrea Warren – Oaktree Health Centre – www.oaktree.co.uk – andreadidcot@googlemail.com
Shelagh Garvey – Didcot Health Centre – www.didcothealthcentre.com – dhc.ppg@gmail.com
Stewart Lilly – Woodlands Medical Centre – www.woodlandsmedicalcentre.com – pgsecretarywoodlands@gmail.com
{Information provided by Stewart Lilly}