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Patient Participation Group
Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) meets to provide a forum for discussion about the practice.
Would You Like to Join the Online Patient Participation Group?
Since November 2012 West Hampstead Medical Centre has benefited from both an online Patient Participation Group and a smaller Steering Group consisting of both patients and members of the practice.
The role of both is to provide a bridge between the practice and its patients, promoting effective communication and ensuring that patients’ views and priorities are central to the development and monitoring of the practice’s services.
The online Patient Participation Group raises issues to be considered by the Steering Group and tackled by the Practice.
How Can I Get Involved?
We are inviting you to become part of the online Patient Participation Group. This would mean that you will be:
- Invited to all the open meetings of the Practice.
- Asked for your views on specific issues to be considered by the Steering Group.
- Able to bring your ideas and concerns directly to the Steering Group for them to progress directly with practice partners and management.
If you would be interested in participating, please contact the online Patient Participation Group Liaison Lead, Karen McCormack.
Latest PPG Minutes
Tuesday 4th February 2025 @ 5.30pm – 7.00pm
- Chair: Renee Bernstein (RB) – PPG Member
- PPG Members Present: Jane Shaw (JS), Jill Ackroyd (JA), Sean Baine (SB), David Richards (DR), Charles Boucher (CB), Leon Douglas (LD), David Lavis (DL), Elizabeth Horridge (EH), Tove Steedman (TS), Neil Fletcher (NF), Sara Dibb (SD), Mark Keeler (MK), Jane Enraght Moony (JEM)
- Surgery Staff Present: Dr. Ehsan Alkizwini (EA), Dr. Ben Bromilow (BB), Karen McCormack (KM)
- Apologies: Dr. Birgit Curtis
Introduction & Welcome
RB welcomed all members and introduced the newly appointed Social Prescriber at WHMC – Joseph Graham.
Items for discussion:
- Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the meeting held on 3rd December 2024 were approved.
Matters Arising from Last Meeting
Item 1 – Engagement with Councillor Richard Olszewski
- EA has attempted contact with no response.
- MK questioned who is best placed to assist with the practice’s space concerns.
- Group agreed to continue pursuing the Councillor for a set time and then contact Anna Wright if no response is received within two weeks. NF and DR to attempt engagement at the local Labour Council meeting on 5th February 2025.
Action: NF to update EA & BB on the outcome of the meeting.
Action: EA to contact Anna Wright if Councillor Olszewski has not confirmed attendance by 6th February
Item 2 – Welcome to New PPG Members
- New members Sara, Mark, and Jane were introduced and welcomed.
Action: Updated contact list shared.
Item 3 – Newsletter Video
- BB confirmed that the video has been added to patient waiting screens.
Item 5 – Collective Action & Royal Free Relationships
- To remain on agenda for ongoing updates.
Item 7 – Patient Stand Screen for Privacy
- Screen moved for better patient privacy but remains underutilized.
Action: Surgery to enquire about removal once contract expires.
Surgery, PCN & Neighbourhoods Updates
- No changes in the practice or PCN with Abbey Medical Centre.
- WHMC is aligned with Abbey Medical Centre but crosses two neighbourhood groups.
- Limited space at WHMC prevents provision of integrated community services.
Action: Partners to document PCN’s current situation and share service locations with PPG.
Action: PPG members to consider what services patients need and how best to deliver them.
Collective Action / BMA Recommendations
- WHMC continues to opt against collective action.
Action: To remain an agenda item for updates.
Practice Newsletter (Next Issue – April 2025)
- General agreement to continue with the bi-annual newsletter.
- MK suggested shortening content to engage younger patients.
Action: Newsletter subgroup (RB, CB, LH, KM) to review format and content.
Action: Consider future themed issues, e.g., young mums’ issue.
New PPG Members & Promotion
- Maintained a strong membership but recognize demographic gaps.
- BB suggested a video to promote PPG on waiting room screens.
Action: JS & MK to develop a patient questionnaire.
Action: BB & SD to design a PPG promotional video.
Action: Call for volunteers to engage with patients in the waiting room.
2025 Open Meeting Planning
- Proposed date: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
- Topics: Integrated care, practice estates, new government health policies, social prescribing, preventative care, and patient questionnaire insights.
Action: Subgroup formed (EA, CB, LD, JEM) to plan event.
Royal Free Relationships
- SB & BB shared concerns with Royal Free Hospital (RFH).
- SB to allow six months for RFH to respond.
Action: BB & SB to arrange another meeting before May PPG meeting.
Action: SB to share concerns email with KM for circulation.
Action: PPG members to provide patient experience feedback on RFH.
NCL PPG Learning & Networking Event Insights
- CB attended and shared insights.
- Recruitment of new members and visibility were key topics.
Action: Encourage PPG members to engage with waiting room patients.
AOB
- Winter Safety: Surgery ensures the entrance is gritted and safe during icy conditions.
Proposed Future Meeting Dates
- Tuesday 13th May 2025 (Leon to Chair)
- Tuesday 2nd September 2025 (Open Meeting)
PPG Chairs
- Currently chaired by Renee & Leon, but a third chair is needed.
- Action: PPG members to consider volunteering as a third chair on a rotating basis.
Meeting adjourned.
- Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th May 2025 – 5:30pm to 7pm.