Norfolk & Waveney PPG Evaluation

Healthwatch Norfolk was commissioned by the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) to conduct an evaluation of Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) across Norfolk and Waveney and gather feedback to develop an understanding of what additional support the ICB can provide to help PPGs and practices be the most successful and develop further. They conducting 21 interviews with members of PPGs as well as members of staff at GP surgeries and a survey of the public to which  1090 people responded.

Two thirds of those who answered (66%) were unaware of the PPG at their local GP surgery, furthermore, some told us that they were unaware of PPGs in general, having only learned about them from the survey. Over half said that they did not know how to contact their PPG. Most of those who did not know of their PPG didn’t know how to contact them. Respondents wanted their PPG and practice to  share more news about the surgery, the PPG, and its work, closely followed by collecting patient feedback.

Interviewees also felt that the promotion of and, by extension, recruitment for PPGs was an area that needed additional support. They said that PPGs have always struggled with recruiting more members and becoming more diverse and representative of their patient populations.

This has since become even more difficult post-pandemic, with many groups having lost members, due to being unable to meet remotely. Whilst some PPGs attempted to carry on through this time using digital methods, for many this option was not feasible or favoured. With help from their practices some PPGs have been able to regain numbers and begin to include younger volunteers, and in one case explore alternative methods from the traditional PPG committee format. However, for most recruitment is still difficult and improving promotion and communication of PPGs and their work could aid in this. Additionally, more available materials and guidance on how best to run PPGs would help with developing PPGs to be suitable for more groups, such as younger working patients.

Another area in which interviewees felt that there could be more support was in the recognition of PPGs by practices, the ICB, and the wider health care system. There were concerns that PPGs were seen as ‘free labour’ and a ‘tick box’ exercise for practices. Additionally, some felt that their practices did not act on the feedback provided through the PPG.

Where practices and PPGs worked well together, there were benefits for both the practice and the patients. A better understanding of PPGs, their role in the primary care system, and the work they do for both patients and practice could help towards improving practice recognition of PPGs. Additionally, interviewees felt that there could be better recognition at higher levels, particular at the primary care network (PCN) and ICB levels. Some suggested that a PPG ‘Champion’ at the ICB would be beneficial as a point of contact for advice, guidance, and someone to feedback wider/bigger issues to.

Finally, interviewees commented that they would like to see support in the form of a larger meeting of practices and PPGs, this way they would be able to share best practice, learn from one another, and identify larger issues affecting the health care system. Several mentioned that such ‘forums’ had previously existed before the Covid-19 pandemic but had since been left in a state of limbo. Revisiting and reintroducing these larger forums, with guidance from the ICB, could provide value for practices and PPGs in achieving success. These could be based on the geographic PCN areas of Norfolk and Waveney, or could be a larger county wide forum for all practices and PPGs.

The report contains seven recommendations.