Patient Participation Group - Wednesbury

Healthwatch Sandwell conducted a survey of patients and visitors at nine GP practices in Wednesbury during March and April 2018 to assess awareness, knowledge, and involvement in Patient Participation Groups (PPGs). A total of 196 people completed the survey, with a further 28 people declining to take part.

Patient Participation Groups are forums through which patients and practice staff work together to improve GP services and patient experience. Since April 2015, all GP practices in England have been required to have a PPG and to make reasonable efforts to ensure it reflects the diversity of their patient population. 

The survey found that awareness of PPGs was generally low among respondents. Only 15% of participants said they knew what a PPG was, while 85% were unaware of the term or its purpose. Knowledge varied between practices, with some surgeries reporting higher levels of awareness than others.

Awareness of whether individual GP practices had a PPG was also limited. Only 7% of respondents knew that their practice had a PPG, 12% believed their practice did not have one, and 81% were unsure.

Very few patients had received information about their practice’s PPG. Just 4% reported receiving information, usually through posters, notices, or messages displayed on waiting room screens. More than 90% said they had received no information, while a small number were uncertain. 

Levels of active involvement were extremely low. Only three respondents reported being involved in a PPG, including a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and one patient who attended quarterly meetings. However, the survey process itself appeared to increase awareness, as one patient took an application form to join their local PPG after learning about its role. 

The respondents represented a diverse cross-section of the local population. Most respondents were aged between 25 and 74 years, 58% were not in employment, and 28% were from minority ethnic backgrounds, a higher proportion than the demographic profile of Wednesbury overall. Four respondents identified themselves as carers. 

Healthwatch Sandwell concluded that public awareness and engagement with Patient Participation Groups in Wednesbury were generally poor. Given that PPGs are the principal mechanism through which GP practices engage with patients and gather feedback, the findings suggested that practices could do more to promote their PPGs and encourage greater patient participation.