The first patient participation group in England was set up by a GP in 1972, and many general practices now have a PPG. They are made up of a group of volunteer patients, the practice manager, and one or more of the GPs from the practice.

The Larksfield and Arlesey PPG meets approximately every second month to discuss the services on offer, and how improvements can be made for the benefit of patients and the practice. There is no set way in which the PPG should work. The aim of the group depends on our local needs, but it tries to make sure that the practice puts the patient and improving health, at the heart of everything it does.

The role of a PPG is to:

• Represent the patient ‘voice’ to the practice.
• Provide non-professional advice to the practice on its services.
• Provide additional advice to the practice on Commissioning Board/NHS directives that affect the surgery and its patient population.
• To encourage people to take better care of their own health.

If you would like to have a say about the services provided at Larksfield Surgery Medical Partnership, please join our PPG, as the practice would like to hear your views.