Fountain Medical Centre

What is a Patient Reference Group?

A selection of patients and practice staff who meet at regular intervals to decide ways of making a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by the practice to patients

What is the purpose of a Patient Reference Group?

• To give practice staff and patients the opportunity to discuss topics of mutual interest in their Practice
• To provide the means for patients to make positive suggestions about the Practice and their own healthcare
• To encourage health education activities within the Practice
• To develop self-help projects to meet the needs of fellow patients
• To act as a representative group that can be called upon to influence the local provision of Health and Social care
• To involve further patients from the wider population

Benefits of a Patient Reference Group

Good for the patient because:

• Patients will be more responsible for their own health
• Patients will have a better understanding and knowledge of the practice and its staff
• Patients will be consulted about arrangements for their primary health care before decisions are made
• Patients will benefit from improved communications between patients and staff
• Patients will have a forum to suggest positive ideas and voice concerns

Good for practice staff because:

• Jointly planned services are more effective and used more efficiently by patients
• They will be able to help patients with non-medical issues such as loneliness, transport and health education
• They will be able to get help from patients in meeting targets and objectives, such as surveys
• They will have a forum to test ideas and suggestions to patients
• They will get closer to the community for whom they care
• All successful businesses listen to their customers

Good for the community because:

• Patients will have an organisation through which they can help other patients in need
• The patient view will always be represented in local health care
• Improved communication will lead to more accountability for practice staff
• Patients will have an opportunity to make links with other community initiatives, such as Healthy Living Centres and Sure Start Programme

You can find minutes of the Patient Reference Group meetings here.