Salford’s Patient Participation Groups (PPG) came together at a first of a kind event organised by NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Vanguard Group.
The event took place at Buile Hill Park with PPGs from across the city coming together to share experiences, ideas and finding new ways to work together towards common goals.
The event was unique because PPGs tend to work in isolation, tackling issues at a local level, meaning this was the first time that all of Salford’s neighbourhoods came together to tackle issues city wide.
All GP practices in Salford are expected to have a PPG, which is typically made up of patients, practice managers and GPs. These groups come together and support the practices needs of local people.
More than 60 patients and GP practice staff from across Salford attended the networking opportunity, with many of the groups making plans for future meetings and exploring ways of working together.
They also looked at how using digital technology such as social media can help them reach more people, and how to break down barriers, such as communication needs for those residents whose first language isn’t English.
Tony Redmand, chair of The Lakes Medical Practice PPG, said:
“This event was a good starting point for the development of a PPG community in Salford.
“We now need to work to build upon what we’ve started and create good working relationships between the different PPGs.”
Hamish Stedman, a GP in Salford and chair at Salford CCG, said:
“PPGs are the vital link between patients and GPs and ensuring that their voices are heard so that we, as GPs, can look at how we can serve our patients better.
“Moving away from working in isolation and with a more city-wide approach can only be beneficial as we can share our experiences and ideas for ways of changing and improving.”
To join your local PPG, look out for the patient notice boards or posters in the waiting room, or ask at the reception desk at your practice if you would like more information.
