What GP practices and patients said
Many PPGs had been impacted by limited activity during COVID and were looking for support to get back on track.
What we did to support GP practices and patients to develop PPGs
We worked with the Patients Association and local practices and patients to coproduce resources and support needed to help the development of PPGs. This included the following:
- We ran eleven workshops covering a range of topics including developing PPGs, a step-by-step approach to PPGs, recruiting PPG members, health inequality and healthy living. These workshops are available on the PA website: www.patients-association.org.uk/gp-patient-group-project
- We promoted a patient-led PPG Buddy Scheme which provides peer support to PPG members
- We collaborated with our Youth Council in a video to enhance understanding of what is important to young people https://youtu.be/I7OJ6ZKeuk4
- We produced a video showcasing success stories https://youtu.be/1tzoClDQX_0
- We supported the creation of a patient-led ‘What Good Looks Like’ paper outlining the essential components of an effective PPG. This included a self assessment checklist and a paper highlighting the benefits to practices of having a PPG: ‘What’s in it for Practices’
Next steps
We are continuing to provide support to PPGs through the buddy scheme and other one to one support. We are also building a network of groups to share good practice and connect them with their local communities.