Would you be able to give some time to help improve the experience and health outcomes of fellow Lime Tree Surgery patients by joining our developing Patient Participation Group?       

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is formed to enable patients to engage with the practice to develop the surgery’s activities to improve patient experience and contribute to Lime Tree’s mission of supporting all of our patients with their health and wellbeing.

It is of great importance to us that our developing PPG is representative of our diverse population and that those who choose to apply to be part of this valuable group embody the values of the practice: respectful, approachable, professional, dignity, holistic, compassionate and supportive.   

We are hoping to recruit a broad range of patients from our whole catchment area and would particularly encourage you to express interest if Durrington Health Centre is your closest surgery site.         

To ensure that the group is representative of our patient demographics we are looking to recruit Patient Champions who fit one or more of the following definitions:

• Young person aged 18-30
• New parent (those with a child aged under 2 years)
• Women’s health (such as but not limited to fertility, reproductive system conditions, perimenopause, menopause)
• Carer (unpaid)
• Care leaver (i.e. someone who has lived within care)
• Neurodivergent or learning disability
• Lived experience of a mental health condition
• BAME
• LGBTQ+
• Long Term Condition (such as but not limited to: diabetes, asthma, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia)
• Cancer (including those in remission)
• Recently retired
• Older person aged 65+

What to expect

We expect the PPG to evolve based on its membership and with the support and guidance of the practice management. The practice will consult the members for feedback on current service provision as well as asking for ideas and feedback on developments that the practice are considering.

In time we would also like the PPG members to be able to use their own interests, skills and experiences to provide activities and support to their fellow patients such as: support with digital access, walking group, chatty café and befriending, reading group…

It is important to note that you shouldn’t join a PPG as a vehicle for complaining about service provision or to advance your own receipt of care. Rather, being a member of the PPG involves being a selfless and critical friend to the practice.

Level of commitment required 

Being part of the PPG shouldn’t be seen as an onerous task but a certain level of commitment is required. The group will need to meet with the practice 6 times a year through a mixture of face-to-face and virtual meetings as well as some email or similar communication between meetings.        

Please note that if you are not familiar with using online platforms such as Teams and Zoom and/or you do not have your own computer device to join via this way, this shouldn’t put you off joining as the practice and PPG can support with this. 

Please click HERE to download an application form.

Published: Apr 3, 2024