Ratho Medical Centre Participation Group (PPG)

Patient Participation Groups have become an established and recommended method of public engagement in the primary care sector.

Who are we?

The PPG is a representative group of patients of the Ratho Surgery formed in conjunction with Ratho Medical Practice.

Our office holders are:

• Chairperson – Valerie Thrush Denning
• Treasurer / minute taker – Eileen Mercer

What is a patient participation group?

A PPG is made up of patients and practice staff who communicate at regular intervals to consider ways of making a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by their practice to patients. Each group will evolve and develop to address the needs of the practice and its local community. Members of the PPG meet face to face with practice colleagues on a regular basis. Patients, GPs, practice staff and the wider community can all benefit from the success of a PPG.

Patients will benefit through

• The opportunity to recommend improvements and to raise issues that can lead to action.
• A better awareness of how the practice operates.
• A better understanding of the role and workload of a GP practice.
• Being enabled to look after their own and their family’s health.

GPs and practice staff will benefit through

• Improved communication with their patients.
• The potential for a more mutually respectful relationship.
• Increased patient participation and support of the practice’s aims and objectives.

What does patient participation involve?

Patient participation is about patients and practices working together to:

• Improve communications between GPs, practice staff and patients.
• Enable patients to look after their own health, with the support of the GPs and their support staff.
• Discuss topics of mutual interest to the practice and its patients.
• Encourage improvements within in the GP practice through the adoption of a change in practice or structure.
• Increase patient satisfaction with the service they receive.

Getting in touch

• Email: rmcppg2@gmail.com
• Join our Facebook group: Ratho Surgery Patient Participation Group​

It is not a vehicle for individuals to voice personal interests, resolve personal issues or to get additional personal medical service. Rather, it aims to bring about positive change to the benefit of all patients and practice staff.