Terms of Reference

MUSTERS MEDICAL PRACTICE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

February 2009

Terms of Reference

Aims

• Provide a forum for patients where they will have the opportunity to collaborate with and support the practice, and provide a patient perspective to the practice.
• Enable, where appropriate, patients to influence local health care services.

• Objectives

• Provide the link between the practice staff and the wider registered patient population’s views by engaging and representing a virtual PPG.
• Reviewing patient feedback annually as part of the patient survey and complaints.
• Provide a link for the practice to wider community representative groups, for example, Principia’s patient reference group.
• Provide links for patients with specific needs to form support groups or join existing local support groups for example signposting to the Principia site.
• Share best practice and good ideas that are picked up from elsewhere which might enhance the wellbeing of patients and staff.
• Give input to practice communications to ensure clear, plain English, for example, practice information leaflets, website content, and so on.
• Provide a sounding board and input for major changes to services.
• Support the practice in its dealings with other bodies.
• Review these terms of reference every fourth meeting.

• Membership

• The group will consist of up to seven members who are registered patients of Musters Medical Practice plus one or two members of the practice.
• A chair person, vice chair person and a secretary will be elected from the patients within the group normally for their period of their tenure.
• A quorum will exist when there are four or more members present.
• Other interested patients or members of staff may be co-opted from time to time when their input is considered of particular value.
• The tenure of the patient members will be from the first January after they join the group. Two members, three members and two members will have tenure of one year, two and three years respectively. Normally when a member’s tenure comes to end they can rejoin the group after the absence of one year but if no one is willing to take their place they can continue for another two years. New members will normally be expected to complete an application form to the practice, which will make recommendations to the group.
• If a member is unable to attend three consecutive meetings or is disruptive or uncooperative within the group, they may be asked to resign by the chair person or the vice chair person after consultation with the group.

• Meeting frequency

• The group will normally meet every two months.

• Minutes

• Meetings will have an agenda and minutes. Minutes of the meetings will be available for public viewing in the practice newsletter and on the website.

• Members will agree terms of confidentiality and conduct.