Patient Participation Groups: Challenges and Barriers to Great Practice

Healthwatch Kent wanted to truly understand the issues and challenges that PPGs and the Practices were facing. They spoke with 98 PPG members and 16 Practices from all across Kent

Key findings

• The relationship between the practice and the PPG was often a huge barrier to progress
• Access to information and support was lacking for both the Practice and the PPG
• Groups were not always valued or visible within the Practice
• All groups face challenges to make their groups representative of their local community
• There was a strong feeling of frustration from members that felt they ‘were wasting their time’
• Groups often struggled to maintain their momentum