Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) are made up of volunteers interested in healthcare issues, and can include members of practice staff. They meet regularly to decide ways and means of making a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by the surgery to patients.

They are an excellent way for practices to keep in touch with the patient perspective, and improve the patient experience. They can also help to influence the commissioning of services and support the practice through more practical ways like fundraising or organising support groups.

In England, 41 per cent of practices have a Patient Participation Group. Across Leicestershire and Rutland we currently have 54 groups.

For more information about groups in your area, please contact Jo Lilley, engagement and involvement officer, jo.lilley@lcr.nhs.uk, (telephone 0116 295 7626) or visit the Growing Patient Participation website.