Rushey Green Group Practice Patient Group
Gemila Sultan, a member of staff at the Rushey Green Group Practice in Catford, London, and who chairs their recently formed Patient Group, talks about success so far as a fledgling PPG.
Setting up
The Rushey Green Group Practice PPG was set up with the main objectives of helping strengthen the service provided by the practice, and improving the availability of patient information about issues such as health improvement, wellbeing, and managing specific conditions. Formed from a cross-section of the patient population, the Patient Group also acts as a sounding board when the practice makes changes to services. Gemila explains: ‘Our PPG is at the heart of a very diverse urban community, and so seeks to ensure the needs of everyone are met.’
Success so far
Shortly after forming last year, the group held a breast cancer information evening and invited people from the surrounding area to listen to talks from sufferers, survivors, and family members. The event was a great success and, while emotional in places, those who attended found it extremely valuable and were able to take part in a general discussion at the end to help address any questions and concerns.
More recently, the group held a lupus information event that secured great attendance. Many people said they’d definitely attend another information event in the future. In addition, the events also help to raise the profile of Patient Group, and help it attract new members. The group plans to host further information events in the future. In fact, they are under such great demand the group is considering hosting two per year.
Raising the group’s profile
The group holds a recruitment drive during November each year, to try and boost numbers by raising its profile through a number of fundraising events. During the last recruitment drive, patients manned cake sale stalls to support ‘Wear it Pink’ for Breast Cancer Research and ‘Jeans for Genes Day’ for children with genetic disorders. During the drives, clinical and frontline reception staff are encouraged to hand out leaflets about the PPG to patients.
www.rusheygreengp.org