Promoting health and well-being through patient self-care for better patient outcomes and better use of NHS resources, while reflecting patient community views to the practice.
About your PPG
Patient Participation Groups (PPG) have been an integral part of most GP surgeries in the UK for many years. Originally established to voice patient community views to their practices as a critical friend, PPGs have been evolving nationally in various formats according to local needs.
Priors Field PPG is long standing member of the National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP) – napp.org.uk
We strive to engage intelligently with the practice management at Priors Field surgery to help continuously improve patient outcomes, reflect patient community views and help manage patient expectations – all with an eye on the long-term future of primary health care for Sutton and surrounding villages.
Join our PPG
All patients at Priors Field surgery are deemed to be members of the PPG. However, some are active members who have come forward to volunteer for various tasks, while others are passive members – equally important and with an equal voice.
If you would like to become an active member of our PPG, please email priorsfieldppg@mail.com, or contact reception.
Our PPG’s Projects
Social Prescribing opportunities during the COVID pandemic
Understandably, the COVID pandemic curtailed most PPG activities in 2020 and 2021, but also presented opportunities.
During that time our PPG volunteers kept busy supporting social prescribing by establishing our “Chatterbox” social contact group to phone or safely doorstep isolated or otherwise lonely patients, as well as creating our kitchen and sensory gardens at the Lawn Lane allotments for referred patients to get out and about in safe distancing surroundings.
All these activities are on-going and will continue for as long as they are needed by patients.
PPG Gardens
Working with Sutton Timebank
The PPG volunteers get involved in the Sutton Timebank weekly coffee mornings at The Glebe in Sutton. We also support the Sutton Timebank “Healthy Living” programme of events promoting good health through self-care.
Strength and Balance Classes
In 2022, one of our volunteers became qualified to conduct chair-based exercise classes.
These are run every Thursday afternoon at The Pavilion in Sutton and are free of charge with the hire of the Pavilion being paid for by the Sutton Charity.
The classes are attended by a good number of our elderly patients who can be seen to be benefitting from improved strength and balance – all good for their well-being and safety at home.
Involving youngsters
Our kitchen and sensory gardens often host visits from the Beaver and Cub Scouts as well as the infants’ classes of our local school.
The aim is to introduce children to where food comes from and the health benefits of eating homegrown food.
Saving the Practice from closure
The PPG was involved in orchestrating patients’ outcry at the threatened closure of Priors Field Surgery early in 2022. We teamed with local politicians, local authorities, the media and local NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) to help secure an interim primary care provider in Malling Health Ltd, and a promise of a long-term solution in terms of fit-for-purpose surgery premises and a permanent provider.
In Jan 2024 the ICB agreed to buy the Priors Surgery premises from the landlord and bring the building up to NHS standards. In July 24 we were engaged by the ICB Primary Care Team to participate in the procurement process leading up to the award of a long term provider contract.
Fostering beneficial relationships
The PPG has developed good relationships with senior NHS staff and key people in other important organisations, which we intend to maintain for the benefit of all our patients now and in the future.
Armed Forces Covenant support
Priors Field Surgery is signed up to the UK Government Armed Forces Covenant which is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Our PPG supports this function by volunteering at the weekly Veterans Drop-in centre at Ely library.