Patient Participation Group (PPG)

The Patient Participation Group (PPG) is made up of volunteer patients who meet with the practice staff every other month to discuss the work of the practice, provide constructive feedback and identify improvements.

All registered patients are welcome to contribute to the Patient Participation Group.

The aims of the PPG are defined by its members and are as follows:
– Provide a forum for patients to provide feedback and comments about the practice to continually improve services and the patient experience.
– Providing the patient’s perspective through providing feedback on the services, plans and activities of the surgery.
– Organising health promotion events.
– Running volunteer services and support groups to meet local needs.
– Encourage patients to take responsibility for their own healthcare and that of their family.
– Provide peer support to other patients. Promote healthy lifestyle choices, self care and understanding of long term health conditions
– Support the production and review of patient facing information
– Provide a link between the practice PPG and Area PPGs so patients can have a say about wider health services and issues.

The PPG aim to feedback patient views to the practice and suggestions for improving, changing and developing patient services. They will also provide comment on practice and NHS proposals for service changes and development.

You can feedback your views to the PPG on ppg.hwmc@nhs.net

About Patient Participation Groups

What is the Patient Participation Group or PPG?

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a group of people who are patients of the surgery and want to help it work as well as it can for patients, doctors and staff. The NHS requires every practice to have a PPG.

Why should I join?

You have been to the surgery as a patient, parent, carer or friend.

Your experiences matter and you can bring different ideas to the surgery to help us treat patients better or to improve what we do in some way.

You will also gain a better understanding of the NHS, and gather feedback from other patients.

How often does the Patient Participation Group meet?

We meet, but not too often, led by a committee voted for by the patients. If you can’t make meetings then don’t worry – you can still be part of our virtual group.

Who manages the mailing list for the PPG? 

The mailing list will be held by the GP surgery and any emails sent so that individual’s emails are not shared with others.


A virtual group is a group of patients who would like to be part of the Patient Participation Group but prefer not to attend meetings. They get involved by email instead. Information such as practice newsletters, minutes of the Patient Participation Group meetings and surveys will be shared electronically. It means that if you can’t make face-to-face meetings, are caring for someone and unable to leave them, or are working, you can still be kept informed, give your views and participate.

Your views are important and will be listened to. It may not be possible to act on every suggestion, but all feedback is very valuable. Working in a spirit of mutual respect, openness and trust, all patients’ views will be discussed and, where appropriate, we will work together on solutions. If you are interested in learning more about our Patient Participation Group, please complete the online form. Alternatively, you can ask us about it when you next visit the practice.