Forest Health’s Aims
Over the years both Forest Health and Gainsborough surgeries have been fortunate to have active patient participation groups. We are excited to re launch these meetings and invite all members of the community to participate.
Forest Health will offer quarterly ‘Patient Participation Group Meetings’ (PPGMs). These meetings will be held at one of our premises four times a year with tickets on a first come, first served basis to allow the maximum possible number of attendees. These will be blended meetings with an unlimited online attendance for those who would either prefer to attend virtually or who were unable to secure attendance.
The meeting agenda will be split between the practice and the attendees. We will ask for questions in advance of the meeting and aim to pick out the most popular themes for discussion, with space for urgent AOB type items at the end of the meeting.
For those who wish to help to support the practice in a volunteer capacity, with events such as information afternoons or wellbeing drives or with newsletters, it is our intention to form a ‘Friends of Forest Health’ group to keep going some of the valuable activity that we have had in the past from the traditional PPGs.
PPG meetings will be held at our Bagshot Road Surgery (Sainsburys site) and an SMS text message will be sent to all patients when the date of the next PPG meeting is announced.
How do I sign up?
There are two ways to attend our PPG meetings.
Due to Health and Safety and fire regulations, our capacity is unfortunately limited to 40 in-person attendees. Places are allocated on a first come first serve basis.
To allow as many Forest Health patients to attend as possible, you can also join virtually via MS Teams.
An SMS text message will be sent to all patients when the date of the next PPG meeting is announced.
We look forward to working with you.
What is a Patient Participation Group?
The purpose of the patient participation is to give practice staff and patients the opportunity to, where possible, share decision–making in the running of the practice.
What is the purpose of a PPG?
- Patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff.
- This allows latest information to be given to patients regarding the practice and will inform what decisions can be influenced and what cannot.
- It will allow to present the patient’s perspective to the practice staff and help them gain an understanding.
- Patients will benefit from improved communications between patients and staff.
What are the benefits for the patient?
- Patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff.
- Patients are kept up to date with what is happening in their practice.
- Practice staff will learn more about what patients think and feel and gain greater understanding of their needs.
- Patients will benefit from improved communications between patients and staff
What are the benefits for the practice?
- GPs and their staff will be able to plan services jointly with patients in order to increase their effectiveness.
- They will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives.
- They will have a forum to voice concerns, ideas and suggestions to patients.
- They will get closer to the community for whom they care.