What do you think about Doncaster doctors and town surgeries? Have your say

That’s just what a number of Doncaster residents have been doing since joining their surgery’s Patient Participation Group (PPG).

Most GP surgeries in the borough have a small team of volunteers who provide a voice for patients at the practice. Known as a Patient Participation Group or a PPG, these groups meet regularly to work with staff at the practice to improve the way things are run.

Changes implemented by local PPGs range from practices opening earlier to help appointments run on time, adaptations to seating to help those with disabilities, giving advice on privacy and dignity issues and changes to general housekeeping to ensure the surgery is kept spick and span.

Anne Evans has been a PPG member at the Scott Practice in Balby for over 18 months, she said: “I was invited to join my surgery’s PPG almost two years ago. We meet once a month for around an hour and a half and share ideas with the practice manager, a GP and other staff. I feel there’s a real togetherness when we meet – it’s ‘us’, not ‘them’.

“Since joining the group, we have organised MacMillan coffee mornings, discussed with staff how to communicate better with patients and aided with flu jab days.

2Every time we meet we make those little changes that eventually make the practice better for everyone in the long-run.”

If you would like to join your practice’s PPG, ask a member of staff for further details and meeting dates.