Rye Medical Centre has, in keeping with other leading surgeries across the UK, traditionally enjoyed the support of an effective and proactive patient participation group, or PPG for short.
PPGs provide important back-up and support functions, forging a vital link between clinicians and patients that often goes unnoticed – particularly by those registered with the practice who rarely visit their local surgery and therefore miss the prominent noticeboard outlining the functions and activities of their local PPG.
However, over the last two years, many PPGs have inevitably functioned with less visibility, while health facilities the length and breadth of the UK, have operated with more limited access due to Covid-19 restrictions and our local practice acknowledges that some changes and sensible precautions are here to stay.
A knock-on effect of this has meant that some ongoing PPG support activity has, perhaps, been overlooked. A spokesperson for the Rye Medical Centre PPG has told Rye News that this has had a negative effect on the recruitment and election of new committee members which the PPG is now seeking to address with some urgency.
Up to four new committee members are needed for the PPG, to help promote health by means of wider communication with patients, organisation of health promotion events and feedback to the practice and its GP partners to influence the practice, where possible, on patients concerns and the wider NHS on matters such as commissioning.
A spokesperson earlier this week told Rye News: “We are seeking to recruit up to 4 new volunteers to the group’s management committee to maintain and hopefully further enhance this important means of regular communication between the surgery and its patients and I am confident that all new members will find the work of the PPG both interesting and worthwhile.”
They added: “We therefore welcome applications and enquiries from prospective members who are registered with the practice and prepared to attend at least 4 meetings a year.”
The PPG spokesperson invited prospective applicants to email their details, including ideally a daytime telephone number, to jdrmc.ppg@btinternet.com or send a written application to Rye Medical Centre PPG, Kiln Drive, Rye TN31 7SQ
Image Credits: Richard Byham .