PPG Chair's Report September 2023

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September 2022 to October 2023

Last September, I took over as chair of the PPG having been vice-chair for a number of years, as well as retaining the role of secretary.

The last 12 months have been very busy making new contacts and “refreshing” previous ones, as well as ensuring our PPG members receive regular news and information, both locally and nationally.

Some of the most helpful newsletters have been those sent out by the local ICB ( Integrated Care Board ) and South Glos Healthwatch, enabling members to keep up to date with local NHS issues.

Our PPG email group has grown steadily especially when new patients join the practice and we now have 20 members,  alongside our committee who meet every 8 weeks or so.

We have had a number of interesting speakers at those meetings who have helped us understand their services better – topics included social prescribing, surgery pharmacist role, AGE UK, and Carers support centre.

In 2024, we hope to restart our information sessions, which are open to all, as we did pre-pandemic and will be focusing on the important health issues relevant to the local community. Ideas for subjects are welcome.

A number of us have once again been involved in marshalling at the flu/Covid vaccination clinics and helped out last Autumn, as well as being involved in the current campaign.

Our relationship with the practice team is a strong one and our views and ideas are always welcomed. We look forward to working with the new practice manager who started recently, as well as getting to know the other new members of staff.

My thanks go to Tess and Rob Munden who have acted as the joint vice-chairs for the past year and have been invaluable in supporting me.

Lastly, my thanks and I’m sure that of the other PPG members, go to all the Surgery staff for their care and hard work over this past year.

Jean Poole