The overall aim is to develop a positive, effective relationship between the Practice and its patients and ensure the Practice remains accountable and responsive to its patients needs.

The group will:

• Be a critical friend to the Practice. It will undertake activity which is in the best interests of the Practice and its patients.
• Understand the constraints of the Practice in terms of resources and legislation, and work within these to try to ensure that the practice offers services which meet the needs of their patients.
• Work on improving communications between the Practice and its patients
• Give patients a stronger voice in the way services are planned and run
• Provide constructive feedback on Patients needs, concerns, and interests
• Communicate information about the community which may affect healthcare.
• Support the practice in activities promoting good health and preventative medicine.
• Help the Practice monitor and evaluate the services it delivers by gathering patient opinion and experiences.

Membership of the Group

You must be a current patient of the Practice to become involved. We want to encourage all of our patients to get involved in some way, even if you are not a frequent visitor to us!

We want to hear the voice of as many patients as possible, and to work towards developing a better Practice for everyone.

Meeting Arrangements

It is intended that once the group is fully established, it will meet quarterly.

Ground Rules

• Meetings are not a forum for individual complaints.
• Patient confidentiality is of paramount importance. Members of the Group will not discuss their own GP, individual illnesses, conditions or nature of treatment at any of the meetings.
• Members of the group do not require information about individual patient’s identity, illness, condition, or nature of treatment and should not seek it. If a patient willingly discloses such information in the course of discussions, members should receive this in the strictest confidence.
• Members of the group are not expected to approach the media without the prior approval of the Practice.
• The group will advocate open and honest communication.
• All views are welcome and will be listened to. Silence indicates agreement. Speak up but always go through the chair.
• Be flexible, listen, ask for help and support each other.
• Demonstrate a commitment to delivering results as a group.
• No phones or other disruptions during meetings.
• We aim to start and finish on time, and will stick to the agenda.