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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 11 March 2026 5.00pm
Welcome Everyone
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Attendees
Dr Alford (Chair), Joanne Hodge, Mike Trimming, John Miller, John Shiel, David Armstrong, Steve John, Graham Smith, Russ Wallace, Christine Eastlake, Chris Million, Peter Rand and John Leightley
Apologies
Sally Fox, Andy Hannah, Heather Walker and David Payne.
Acceptance of previous minutes
Accepted as a true record.
Matters arising from previous Minutes
There were no matters arising.
Community Links Update
Graham Smith gave a detailed account of the various activities provided through Community Links as well as a wide range of activities available in the Bedlington area provided through other organisations. In particular he made mention of the Thursday Walking Group, a new Coffee Morning to be held on the first Tuesday of the month commencing April, support provided to the homeless and the new Kurling Club, held at Trinity Church Hall each week, a poster for which was on display in the Waiting Room. Mention was also made of the PocDoc Health Bus due to visit the Surgery on the afternoon of Tuesday, 13 April where those attending would get the opportunity to have their cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked.
Practice Update (Dr Alford/Joanne)
Dr Alford reported that a new clinical pharmacist, Fadwa, had commenced the previous week, specialising in pain management with the aim of reducing opiate use. Working remotely in the first instance, she would be offering patients extended appointments of possibly 45 minutes to an hour. Dr Alford also reported that the Practice had a new medical student who would be shadowing Becky, who is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
Joanne reported Nicola, a new Prescription Clerk was continuing her training.
Friends and Family Update
Joanne circulated a summary of responses to the February Family and Friends questionnaire, noting that whilst it was generally good there were still some issues arising, mainly relating to the availability of appointments or using the system.
John Shiels referred to recent difficulties experienced in trying to get a prescription and the apparent inflexibility of current systems for those without internet access or working away from home. Whilst understanding the frustration this can cause, Dr Alford explained the difficulties of working with ‘bits of paper’, whilst noting that pharmacies can offer emergency medication. Joanne undertook to raise the issue with Julie.
Referring to attempts to establish a ‘virtual’ PPG Group, Joanne noted that there had been little interest shown from a number of non-attenders. Mike Trimming noted that in some instances he had received no response to the invitation issued. It was agreed that he would contact regular non-attenders a final time to advise that individuals would be removed from the PPG if no response is forthcoming.
In response to a query raised at the January meeting, Joanne circulated a document from the Northumberland Vaccine Engagement Group which detailed Flu and COVID uptake for the County. In response to a general discussion on vaccinations, particularly in relation to COVID, Dr Alford advised that the rules regarding entitlement to a booster were tightened every year. He also noted that the Practice had just missed the target for MMR vaccinations.
PCN Update
Joanne touched on the proposal from Heather Walker at the previous meeting that she arrange for someone to speak about Hemochromatosis and noted that there were currently 17 patients registered with the practice that had the condition.
More generally, the Group discussed ways in which the PPG might lend practical support to the Practice. Dr Alford noted young patients might benefit from a better understanding of when it was appropriate to seek a consultation as there was a tendency to seek an appointment for very minor conditions.
Possible help with data collection was touched upon as well as ways in which the various activities highlighted in the Community Links report might be advertised more widely. Dr Alford suggested the possibility of a link to Community Links on the Practice webpage and Joanne suggested a table on a Thursday to promote activities available, in addition to support for carers through Carers Northumberland.
By way of follow-up to an item discussed previously, Dr Alford advised about Jess’s Rule, noting that a poster was on display in the Waiting Room and that there was also a link on the Practice website and FaceBook page.
Any Other Business
On a positive note, Christine Eastlake made mention of a colleague who had transferred to the practice and who had spoken highly of the care received.
Date & Time of next meeting
To be confirmed