Our Patient Participation Group is newly formed and currently comprises 4 patients who have volunteered to become involved.

We also have a small number of patients who have expressed and interest in being approached via e-mail to express views about the practice and its services.  We shall plan a co-ordinated and logical approach as to how we gather appropriate and relevant information from these patients.

Patient Profiles:

Derek Bramley - I became a patient representative so that I can provide an input into the Practice to ensure that high standards are met in patient care.

I have had over 48 years' involvement in the Health Service, which includes 37 yeard as an employee upto Senior Manager Level.  I took early retirement in 2000.  I am currently self employed providing training on a part time basis.  I was also a Public Governor with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust until July 2011 but I remain a Trust member.  I am also a member of LINKs which will become Health Watch in 2013. 

Sheila Dance - I'm Sheila Dance, and have joined the patient group following my retirement last December. Having had over 20 years working as Administrator at the Practice I am now looking forward to seeing things from the other side of the desk! I hope that I will be able to use my experience in the interest of other patients by my involvement in this group.

16_March_2012.doc

Our second meeting took place on Friday 16 March 2012 and provided some interesting discussion topics.

Currently in addition to the Practice Business Manager, the group comprises 3 ladies and one gentleman, all four being registered patients with the practice.

The group looked at the quality and content of the latest newsletter and offered some constructive comments which will be used in producing the next one.

The group aso discussed ways of encouraging younger members of the population to have a voice.  It was agreed that anyone expressing an interest in a work placement or who is a prospective nursing or medical student be encouraged to become involved in the group.  This would give those interested access to aspect of the practice that they would not normally have and give them a voice to influence practice services in general, and those for young people in particular.  This would also be something which could be added to their CV.

If you are interested in contributing to this group, please contact Anne Brooks, Business Manager, at the practice.

A representative from this group also attends the Tynedale locality patient forum with the Business Manager to give Sele Medical Practice a voice in wider service development issues in Tynedale.