Wincanton PPG Plan the Year Ahead

Wincanton Patient Participation Group can look back on 2009 as a successful year in which it has taken some giant steps forward. It has played a major role in forming a network of PPGs across the county being on hand to relate its own experiences of starting from scratch to potential new groups. The Wincanton model of meeting every six weeks - patient representatives, practice manager, doctor, nurse practitioner, and receptionist - is regarded as an effective example.

The principal object of the PPG is to act as a two way communication between practice and patient. Proposed improvements to the practice from within and NHS changes and news from without can be filtered through the PPG. The PPG in return is a vehicle of comment and reaction. Both practice and PPG operate for the greater care of the patient.

Membership of the PPG is open to all patients and two new members joined at the October AGM. This was held on a morning of flu jabs with the object of making our existence more obvious to those attending the surgery.

The PPG is proposing a series of evenings, free of charge to patients, in 2010. The first meeting will be on Tuesday 16th March at the Balsam Centre on the subject of Diabetes. Two further meetings are planned on Monday 7th June and Monday 13th September but at the Memorial Hall. The subjects have not been decided. Amongst the likely subjects are Stress management, Arthritis, Parkinson's Disease, and Drug awareness for parents.

In February the Wincanton PPG will take part in a SW Regional Conference to be held at Taunton School to continue the task of PPG improvement and promotion. I will keep readers of the Wincanton Window up to date with events.

John Bradley

Chairman, Wincanton PPG

Health Centre Website www.wincantonhealth.co.uk

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