NHS Somerset

Step 1: Two project meetings have so far taken place and identified clear priorities around networking existing Groups, greater lay involvement in commissioning and developing innovative and interesting ways to get more practices to introduce PPGs.  The work is supported by the Local Medical Committee.

Step 2: The mapping exercise carried out by the National Association for Patient Participation generated 40 replies from the 75 practices.  40% reported having a PPG, most of which were used to gather patient feedback.  Practices without a PPG were particularly concerned about the perceived time commitment in getting a Group started.

Step 3: Four locality based workshops took place in Spring 2009 with extensive input from PPG members and PCT staff.  These will now be complemented by a county-wide event in July that aims to establish a network for PPGs.

Step 4: The work has been carefully programmed to ensure that it is locally based whenever possible and to make use of the expertise of existing PPGs as buddies and mentors.

Step 5: The campaign resources have been shared with the PCT.