1.Name
The PPG’s name is: Kingswinford Medical Practice, Patient Participation Group (KMP PPG)
2.The aims of Kingswinford Medical Practice PPG are:
- To represent the views of patients at the practice
- To increase patients’ awareness of health-related issues
- To increase the awareness of PPG members on patient issues, needs and views to enable the PPG to effectively represent these
- To support GPs and other staff at Kingswinford Medical Practice; to bring about positive change to health services e.g. at the practice and/or wider NHS services
3.The PPG values are:
| Value | Examples of how we can ensure we follow our values |
|---|---|
| Respect · We will listen and respect everyone’s opinions, ideas and views · We will value everyone’s contributions | · Enable everyone at PPG meetings and any other events held by the PPG to have a say |
| Working together · We will, where possible, work with others to enable positive things to happen which benefit patients | · Jointly organising health awareness events with other PPGs, the BCICB and Kingswinford Medical Practice |
| Open and inclusive · We will work in open and transparent ways | · Take minutes of the PPG meetings, making them available to all PPG members. · Advertising PPG meeting dates to all PPG members and patients at the practice |
| Representative · We will, where possible, represent the voices of all patients | · Finding out the views, opinions and issues of patients at the practice · Ensuring PPG members can discuss items relevant to them at PPG meetings/events |
4.The KMP PPG shall consist of:
A committee comprising of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, NHS Communications Officer, PPG IT Officer, Patient suggestions Officer, plus general members.
5. Purpose and function of the PPG
- To improve communications by feeding back to the Practice on what works well and what does not
- To influence the provision of services for patients
- To discuss real issues at PPG meetings affecting both patients and the Practice
- A more pro-active group: Minutes to show action points to be reported back to the following meeting. Agenda should be linked to patient needs
- To learn more about the key major health issues of the KMP Patient population and their concerns
- To understand local NHS structures and their role in patient care
- To facilitate speakers from Dudley Group Hospitals, the BCICB, and other health bodies
- Support the development of PPG members
- To explore funding to support PPG activities
6.Carrying out the PPG aims
In order to carry out the aims, the PPG has the power to:
- Raise funds, receive grants and donations
- Apply for funds to help achieve its aims
- Organise events and activities relevant to the PPG and patients
- Co-operate with and support other groups and organisations e.g. other PPGs, plus the BCICB
- Do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve its aims
7.Membership
Membership of the PPG is open to all patients of Kingswinford Medical Practice. The committee will keep the membership list which is continually updated.
The committee members may remove a patient’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the PPG. The member has the right to be heard by the committee members before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.
8.Meetings and communication
- The PPG will meet a minimum of 4 times per year
- There will be a mixture of daytime and evening meetings throughout the year
- The purpose of these meetings will be to achieve the aims of the PPG stated in item 2
- These meetings will be led by the Chair and where the chair is absent the Vice Chair
- Any members of the PPG can attend such meetings as well as practice staff and GPs of the surgery
- Notice of PPG meetings will be circulated by email to all members, two weeks before the meeting
- All PPG members can email in advance items they would like to be discussed at meetings or raise these under any other business at the meetings
- PPG meetings are not a forum for individual complaints and personal issues as there are procedures for supporting patients with these concerns within the Practice
9.Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- An AGM must be held every year, with 14 days’ notice given to all PPG members informing them what is on the agenda.
- AGM Minutes must be recorded
- There must be at least 5 members present at the AGM
- Every member has one vote
- The committee members shall report on the PPG’s achievements throughout the year and on income and expenditure of the PPG
- Any member may stand for election as a committee officer
- Members shall elect 4 committee members (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, plus other officers as needed) to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.
10.Managing money
- The PPG will have its own bank account
- Money must only be used for helping to achieve the aims of the PPG
- Committee members must keep a written record of income and expenditure (accounts). The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request
- Committee members cannot receive any money from the PPG, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses
- Money must be held in the PPG’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by two committee members
11.General members meetings
If the committee members consider it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the PPG, they must call a General Meeting so that the wider PPG membership can make the decision.
Committee members must also call a General Members Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of PPG members. All members must be given 14 days’ notice and told the reason for the meeting. All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.
- Winding up – any money remaining must be returned to the source from whence it came, this may be from the Practice or the local governing NHS body from whence it came.
- Changes to the Constitution – can be made at AGMs or General Meetings.
- General Meeting – called on written request from a majority of members. Committee members may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership.
12.Setting up the PPG
This constitution was adopted in 2016, any future changes to be made at the Annual General Meeting any new changes occurring due to staff leaving can be organised for the next PPG meeting .
Reviewed and updated 27th January 2025
BCIB = Black Country Integrated Care Board