About the Patient Participation Group

Our Patient participation Group (PPG) consists of patients who are registered with the practice and who previously expressed an interest in becoming members of the PPG. 

Our core group currently consists of patients and two staff members, a GP partner who is acting as chair and our Patient Experience Manager. PPG members meet quarterly at the surgery, most of our members have no medical training, but have an interest in the services provided by the practice.

Bedlingtonshire Medical Group is always keen to hear from anyone who would like to join our patient participation group, to help make suggestions to develop and improve the services offered to patients, or anyone interested in being part of a virtual group where we would email patients from time to time for input in surveys. We would particularly like to hear from the young, ethnic groups and the disabled.

Please note personal/medical or individual patient complaints are not discussed. These should be dealt with outside the meetings following practice procedures.

Patients who wish to join the PPG can contact Joanne Hodge Patient Experience Manager Tel: 01670 822695 or signup via our online form.

 

Further information from the PPG

PPG Ground Rules

1. Confidentiality

We will tell you if something is confidential and we ask you not to share this information with anyone outside of the meeting.

2. Avoid personal references

As patient champions we think about the needs of the wider public.

3. Avoid assumptions

Base discussion on evidence and good practice.

4. Listen

Listen actively and attentively. Avoid interruptions.

5. Challenge

Critique ideas, not people.

6. Find solutions

Build on one another’s comments; work toward shared understanding.

7. Do not monopolize discussion

Give others a chance to speak.

8. It’s not a grumbling shop

Focus needs to be on improvement, not complaints.

9. Respect

Other people’s thoughts, ideas, and suggestions (even if you don’t agree with them).

10. Mobile phones

Please switch them off!

Terms of Reference

Title of the Group

The group shall be called The Bedlingtonshire Medical Group (BMG) Patient Participation Group (PPG).  

Purpose of the Group

To provide open and effective communications between the Practice and Patients to maintain high quality and responsive care.

Aims 

  • To promote a positive relationship between the surgery and patients.
  • To improve healthcare for patients through a joint approach. 
  • To collect feedback from patients about current health service provision.
  • To gain positive suggestions on how services could be improved.
  • To provide feedback on proposals for change. 
  • To act as a representative group for all patient groups including patients with specific illnesses, disabilities, and minority ethnic groups.
  • To review patient feedback annually as part of a Practice-led patient survey.
  • To enable patients to influence local health care services where appropriate.

Meetings

The group will endeavour to meet four times a year, with a minimum core group of 3 members. Additional meetings may be held to discuss issues. A meeting may be cancelled where a core group cannot be assembled or there are few or no items for the agenda.

Meetings will be held at the Bedlingtonshire Medical Group Surgery.

The group has an appointed Chair, and a secretary, who are appointed annually by the Group.

Notice of meetings, minutes and information relating to the PPG will be displayed on appropriate notice boards in the surgery waiting room and on the BMG website. Members will be contacted by email or through the post when necessary. 

Membership

Membership shall be open to all registered Patients and staff of Bedlingtonshire Medical Group, however there will be a maximum of 20 members. Efforts will be made to ensure a spread of membership in terms of age, gender, and minority groups. Patients who would like to join the group should contact the Patient Experience Manager.

Code of conduct

  • Listen to and respect one another’s views – all views are valid and will be listened to.
  • Turn mobile phones off or switch to silent.
  • Make criticism constructive.
  • If a member is unable to attend a meeting, they should offer their apologies ahead of the meeting.
  • Members will agree to treat items discussed as confidential where appropriate.
  • Meetings will start and finish on time.
  • The Bedlingtonshire Medical Group Patient Participation Group is not a forum for individuals to resolve personnel complaints or single issues, such matters should be raised and addressed using the Practice Complaints Policy.

Confidentiality

The names of group members and others attending meetings will be included within summaries unless requested otherwise.

The provisions of GDPR Act 2018 (Data Protection) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will apply to all dealings of Patient Participation Group.

  • These terms of reference were adopted on: 20th October 2015
  • Review date: 3rd September 2025

 Agree to Terms of reference for Bedlingtonshire Medical Group code of conduct to become a member of Bedlingtonshire Medical Group PPG 

Latest Meeting Minutes

Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 1.00pm

Welcome Everyone

The Chairman invited Members of the Group to introduce themselves

Attendees

Dr Alford (Chair), Joanne Hodge, Sally Fox, Andy Hannah, Mike Trimming, Steve John, Heather Walker, Peter Rand, David Armstrong, David Payne and John Miller

Apologies

Denise Young, Christine Eastlake, John Leightley, John Shiel, Russ Wallace and Graham Smith

Acceptance of previous minutes

Accepted subject to adding Andy Hannah to the list of those submitting apologies

Matters arising from previous Minutes

David Payne was thanked for the assistance he provided with the flu clinics. In response to a query from David on potential vaccine fatigue, Sally Fox undertook to look at the data and report back. Dr Alford advised that COVID vaccinations were to be offered to appropriate groups twice yearly going forward.

Community Links Update

Item deferred due to the absence of Graham Smith

Values & Behaviours Update

Joanne circulated a final version of the policy noting minor changes made.

Carers Declaration – Discussion

Noting that she was the Carers Champion within the Practice, Joanne circulated copies of the revised policy. A discussion about the support available through Carers Northumberland ensued. In response to a query, Joanne advised that patient records were appropriately annotated such that carers could be readily identified.

Rescue Pack Medication Policy

In response to a query raised by Andy Hannah, Dr Alford explained the reasons why prescriptions for Rescue Packs were no longer routinely issued        

Practice Update (Dr Alford/Joanne)

Dr Alford reported that a new F2 (Foundation Dr) Dr Windithe was with the Practice for 4 months. He explained that F2 doctors whilst newly qualified, have experience in a range of placements in various specialities and healthcare settings. He also reported that Registrar, Dr Katsande, had finished his time with the Practice on 16.01.26. Explaining that Registrar's are fully qualified doctors completing their specialty in general practice and thus in the final stages of training required to become a GP in the UK, he noted that Dr Katsande had been very popular during his time with the Practice.

Joanne reported that a new Prescription Clerk, Nicola, started on 12.01.26. Nicola, who will be working alongside Julie the Prescription Manager, has not worked in a GP surgery before, but has worked as a dispenser and pharmacy technician in pharmacy for 28 years. Nicola has gone through her induction and is now ready to start her training. Joanne also reported that Donna, a Healthcare Assistant, had left at Christmas to start a new venture in Nursing. She is starting her nurse training in January, and leaves with all best wishes. Donna will not be replaced at present due to the new nurse triage system which should stop duplicate appointments. However, it is still early days and the situation will be monitored.

SystmConnect Update

(to include an explanation ‘opening hours’ and Assistance Policy)

Andy Hannah referred to problems reported by some people needing assistance to complete the Appointment Questionnaire, with reception staff suggesting individuals might be assisted by a family member or friend. Joanne reported that it shouldn’t happen and that staff routinely help patients in difficulty. (Joanne will take to staff meeting for discussion) to Noting that whilst the Practice didn’t have a formal policy on Reasonable Adjustment every effort was made to assist those in need. Patients with reasonable adjustments have a patient plan added to their medical record, which alerts staff to patient's needs. Touching on the 4.00pm cut off for form submission, it was explained that this was linked to a need to ensure patients got timely assistance which might be delayed if a form was ‘sitting’ in the system unprocessed at the end of the day. It is advised when filling in the form if your problem is urgent after 4pm to contact the surgery. Whilst mindful of some issues, Members generally spoke positively about the Triage System.

Friends and Family

Joanne circulated a summary of responses to the January Family and Friends questionnaire noting that whilst it was generally very positive there were still areas of possible improvement. Most of the negative feedback is around patients unable to use the system, or no availability of appointments when using the link. Joanne explained appointments are monitored and added throughout the day. The link lasts for 7 days which can be used at a time suitable to the patient and advised to check throughout the day for available appointments, as you would have done previously when phoning to make appointments, If patients are unable to find a suitable appointment within their 7-day link, patients are advised to contact the surgery and staff will help to try and resolve the issue.

PCN Update

Sally commented on the Government’s long-term plan to place the emphasis on Primary Care, to relieve the pressure on Secondary Care, but noted that this initiative was not supported by additional funding. Sally also noted that continuation of funding for some current PCN activities were uncertain whilst citing the need for more detailed data.

Future Actions

Possible Development of a PPG Action Plan

Joanne introduced this item, seeking Member views on the possibility of the Group initiating activities that might be of wider interest to Practice patients. In this regard Heather Walker offered to explore the possibility of arranging a session on Haemochromatosis. Dr Alford suggested this could be presented to the GP’s first. Noting possible accommodation issues, Peter Rand suggested the Church Hall might offer a solution. In discussion it was reported that there had not been significant uptake for Graham Smith’s (Community Links) blood pressure offer but that the Thursday walking group was very popular. In terms of developing a wider Action Plan it was agreed to seek suggestions from Members.

Any Other Business

Peter Rand asked if the All Ability Kurling offered by the Church could be given wider publicity and both Joanne and Sally agreed this could be done once publicity material was available. David Payne asked a question about

Jess’s Rule and Dr Alford advised that the Surgery took a precautionary approach where individuals presented repeatedly with the same unresolved symptoms. Dr Alford also responded to a query from Andy regarding commercially available testing for possible prostate cancer.

Date & Time of next meeting

Wednesday, 11 March 2026 (tbc)

Facebook