Dear LPG,

I think that as we get older we need to call on the services of our local GP more often, which is why we are so much more aware of the difficulties that the nation now has when it comes to the basics, such as getting appointments. From all that I have read and experienced when it comes to going to the doctor’s myself, I think that perhaps this is where we have no choice these days but to cultivate a seriously heightened double helping of patients; being one, and using our sense of patience as we wait for ages not only to make an appointment, but also when we sit awaiting our turn to be seen.

I know that there has been many an occasion when this topic becomes the subject of conversations that I have with friends as we recount our latest encounter with the NHS system at this level.  But it often occurs to me that this is one of our biggest failings as a nation.  We all talk amongst ourselves but forget to talk to the people that matter until we are truly upset and a degree of argument often results.

I happened to be waiting at my doctor’s surgery recently where, after checking my mobile phone and reading a magazine or two, my gaze was drawn to the monitor which was showing lots of information including the time of the next PPG meeting that any patient could attend.  I did not even know what PPG meant at the time and I had little idea of what to expect but, with nothing better to do at the appointed time, I attended and was quite surprised to find a mixture of Doctors and practice admin staff discussing the many problems that the patients in the room brought to the fore.

It was really enlightening to understand those same problems from the professionals’ points of view and I learned so much about the issues that we all face from the opposite end of those dilemmas. 

I have to say that I really miss our family GP who worked alone and knew his or her patient’s personal problems without having to look at all their notes every time they went to a consultation, but the system has changed for better or worse now.  Having taken the time to attend a meeting where discussion covered the patients’ down to earth problems such as the practice’s efforts to ensure that their clients can get appointments when they really need them.  I would highly recommend that more LPG readers, who like me, are likely to be some of the more regular patients that frequent our local GPs, continue to chat about their GP focussed problems with their friends, but also take the time to chat with the people who, if the meeting I attended was anything to go by, really listened to patients, took on board what was said , listened to patient-generated ideas on how to overcome such problems and gave the patients in attendance the opportunity to get an insight into the whole situation from the other end.

IB, Crofton Park

LPG found a little related information about the Patient Participation Groups and what they aim to achieve…

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