We want your PPG to be diverse and representative of patients in our practice.

It aims to work collaboratively and positively with the practice to improve services and facilities for patients and to act as a sounding board for the practice on issues affecting patients. We want to build two way communication and co-operation between the practice and patients, other individuals and organisations in healthcare, and the wider community to the mutual benefit for all.

If you think you would like to act as a representative to support us and your community, you don’t need to give up a lot of time. 

You might like to join the wider steering group working with the core team to feedback issues from a group you could represent?

Email us here to register an interest and we will send you out more information Bedccg.asplands.ppg@nhs.net.

A PPG — Patient Participation Group — is a group of patients, carers, and GP practice staff who meet (either in person or online) to discuss and improve the way their general practice is run and how it delivers care to the community.

A PPG typically can:

1. Act as a critical friend
   – Provide constructive feedback on how the practice operates.
   – Help identify what’s working well and where improvements could be made.

2. Represent patients’ views
   – Share the experiences and priorities of patients with the practice team.
   – Ensure that services reflect local community needs and are accessible.

3. Support communication
   – Help improve communication between patients and the practice (e.g., through newsletters, noticeboards, or social media).
   – Promote awareness of new services, online access, and self-care initiatives.

4. Collaborate on service development
   – Take part in discussions about new services, appointment systems, or practice policies.
   – Sometimes contribute to patient surveys or help analyse patient feedback.

5. Promote health and wellbeing
   – Organise or support health promotion events, talks, or campaigns (e.g., flu clinics, mental health awareness).
   – Signpost patients to community or voluntary support services.

6. Act as a link with wider networks
   – Some PPGs work with local Primary Care Networks (PCNs) or Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to represent patient perspectives at a broader level.

🔹 What PPGs don’t do

• They don’t handle personal complaints or medical issues.

• They don’t have access to patient records.

• They are not a forum for individual grievances, but for collective improvement.

In short, a PPG helps shape the quality and accessibility of GP services from the patient perspective, working in partnership with practice staff for mutual benefit.