PIG’s aims are twofold:
- to ensure that the “patient voice” is
heard in Practice considerations and
- to increase the easy flow of
information, views and concerns between the practice staff
and patients.
History:
Some 18 or so patients of the practice
responded to an invitation to meet with two of the GPs to
discuss the formation of a Patient Group. It was made very clear
from the outset that while the practice would support and
encourage the group it was up to patients to determine how such
a group would work and develop.
A small working group was formed and a target date some six
months later was set for the group’s launch. It was decided that
the group should be called the Patient Involvement Group, thus
leading to PIG with its formalised and easily recognisable logo.
Publicity leaflets and a questionnaire about practice matters
and concerns were prepared and 1000 copies distributed. Good
relations had been established with the local Sixth Form which
then analysed the returned 356 replies and made an exhibit with
graphs diagrams and photos. This formed the topic for the launch
meeting in October 1995 attended by over 120 people… standing
room only! A committee was elected and PIG was on its way.
Finance
Initially the practice supported the group
in costs of hiring rooms, printing etc. However PIG
earned money through distributing MAAG surveys for the Practice.
The practice continues to help PIG financially.
What have we done?
• Major Events
1997 Health Watch Day and 2001 a Health
Odyssey. Some 30+ stands covered a wide
range of health promotion with information from both
professional and voluntary organisations relating to health and
general well being, e.g. social services provisions, dieticians,
drug testing, road safety etc. Music and drama was provided by
the Sixth Form and on another occasion people were encouraged to
try some line dancing and watch a yoga demonstration. Both these
events were attended by well over 400 people. The costs were
covered by grants from the local authority and sponsorship by
local groups.
1996 Formation of Arthritis self help
group. This met monthly with talks, discussions etc. It
ceased to meet formally in 2004, but a small group remain in
contact.
2001 Encouraged by Dr Mark Drury, PIG
submitted an entry to the Royal College of GPs for the National
Award for Patient Groups. We won and were presented with a
cheque for £1000.
2005 Activities Day A joint venture with
LINK but on a much smaller scale.
2003 Move to new premises. A PIG committee
member had been closely involved in this
project. PIG produced a special newsletter with plans of the new
surgery and PIG helpers were there for 3 weeks to help as
guides.
2005 10th Birthday Celebrations attended
by patients, our founder GPs Dr Mark Drury and Dr Phillip
Ambler, and representatives from the PCT.
2007 Healthy Eating Stand . This was
outside W.H.Smith and Waitrose in an effort to take
some of the health issues away from the Health Centre and to
where people were doing their weekly shop. A range of
information, leaflets, healthy snacks and a children’s activity
were on offer. Some 200 people were engaged.
2008 Website This was finally launched
with a new volunteer web master. This initiative
had been started with the Sixth Form much earlier, but had
failed to “get off the ground”
due largely to the time limits of the students with exams and
moving on to universities etc
2009 Practice Diabetes Group. This was a
Practice initiative but some PIG members are
involved in its running . This group meets every two months with
speakers and discussions
2009 “A Day in the Life of Church Street Practice” looking at a
typical day in the Practice.
Members of staff were asked to record their routines throughout
a day and talk with a PIG
committee member about them. All disciplines within the practice
were covered and these
accounts were then written up and made into a booklet. Some 800
were printed and it was put on the web. PIG has been reliably
informed that it has been read not only in this country but even
in America and Australia! Such is the value of the web!
2010 Age Concern Information Fair. PIG had
a stand – an opportunity to talk with people
- One person said that her copy of ‘A Day in the Life of’ had
been sent to her son, a GP in
Surrey and it had caused quite a stir so it has got around!
2010 Retirement party for Drs Phillip
Ambler and Mark Drury Over 200 people attended
this highly successful event. Gifts and cheques were presented
to both GPs.
• On going
Committee Meetings The committee, made up
solely of patients, meets every 4 – 6 weeks.
These are fairly informal meetings. Matters arising go forward
to the Practice Meeting (see
below). The Practice manager or a member of staff may be invited
to attend when there are
specific issues to discuss. Equally sometimes a practice member
will ask to come along to talk with us about a particular topic.
The monthly Practice Primary Care meetings
are attended by two or three PIG committee
members who take part in the discussions and provide some feed
back from patients..
Newsletters . These started in 1996 - the 50th edition is just
about to come out!. They cover
a wide variety of topics through practice matters, e.g.
appointment systems, general NHS
topics like PALS and voluntary organisations (e.g. First
Responders and the local Independent Advice Centre with it s
wonderful assisted travel scheme).
AGM meetings are held usually in November . There has been a
wide variety of speakers
over the years.
Patient and Public Meetings. These are
held as appropriate as situations arise and are for
both the local community (e.g. the Out of Hours service) and
patients (e.g. changes in the
Practice). Perhaps we will move into the new White paper or
examine the position of opting
out of the Spine.
Guides for flu clinics and patient
surveys.
Informal weekly Health walks led by two
PIG patients are open to anyone in the community.
Recycling unwanted Medication Two PIG committee members help
with the sorting and
dispatching of these to the charity Intercare.
Feedback from patients to the practice via
the practice manager. PIG encourages patients toput forward
their ideas and suggestions.
PPI reference group for the consortium is
attended by two or three members. This will be of
increasing importance in view of the recent White Paper..
Underlying Principles
It is important to stress that PIG is not
a complaints group. While the committee will draw the attention
of the practice to matters of general concern and interest,
individual issues need to be discussed with the Practice
Manager. Where issues are raised by PIG with the practice every
effort is made to “feed back” the results either directly to the
person or group or via thenewsletter.
In conclusion While PIG is independent of the practice, we
greatly appreciate the
encouragement, support and trust that is offered by members of
the practice.
Updated August 2010
