Friends of Capelfield Surgery

March 2025

CAPELFIELD PATIENTS MEETING PRODUCES INSTANT RESULT

The first Patient Participation Group (PPG) meeting to be held by the Friends of Capelfield Surgery was a lively and well-attended event at which patients learned about the working of their surgery and gave feedback on their experiences and needs.

One outcome of the meeting, held in November, was the introduction of one-to-one learning sessions by surgery staff for patients in need of guidance on how to use the online appointments system.

All GP surgeries are required to have a PPG, made up of patients and carers who meet regularly with practice staff to support the running of the practice and ensure patients are involved in decisions about the range, shape and quality of services provided. No ongoing commitment is required to be part of the PPG, and all patients of the practice are invited to attend meetings to hear updates, ask questions, give feedback and make suggestions. For further information, or to join a PPG meeting, click on the “About” link on the Capelfield Surgery website: https://www.capelfieldsurgery.nhs.uk/service/join-our-patient-group/

The PPG meetings are organised by the Friends of Capelfield Surgery (FoCS), which meets about four times a year with practice partners and staff. Please think about joining FoCS, as it urgently needs new members of the committee, including a secretary.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

All patients are warmly invited to:

• The AGM of the FoCS: Friday March 14, 7.30pm, Claygate Village Hall. This will include the annual Practice Report, with guest speakers talking about the work of the Mary Frances Trust, a Surrey-based mental wellbeing charity, along with the local GP integrated mental health service.
• PPG meetings: Wednesday May 14, 12.30pm at the surgery; Wednesday September 17, 7pm at the surgery.

source: Claygate Courier, March 2025 issue, page 10

October 2024

CAPELFIELD GPs HEAR FEEDBACK FROM PATIENTS

Friends of Capelfield Surgery is a charity which for 30 years has been a link between patients and the practice, and at its well-attended annual general meeting in March, Capelfield patients listened to a report from their GPs that outlined the challenges faced by the surgery. Patients then asked questions and gave doctors feedback on their experiences. After this, the Friends trustees saw a need for such patient participation to be offered more regularly.

It is therefore holding a Patient Participation Group (PPG) Open Forum on Wednesday November 20 at 7.30pm at Capelfield Surgery, to which all are invited. There will be a Practice report and attendees’ feedback, questions and suggestions will be welcome. The plan is to hold regular group meetings with patient involvement in future.

It is compulsory for GP practices to have Patient Participation Groups, with the GP contract stating:

“The purpose of the PPG is to ensure that patients and carers are involved in decisions about the range, shape and quality of services provided by their GP.”

A PPG consists of volunteers—patients, carers and GP practice staff—who meet regularly to discuss and support the running of their practice. They review the services offered, patient experience and how improvements can be made.

Over the years the Friends have provided Capelfield with valuable equipment not available from the NHS and contributed to building projects to enhance the running of the practice, funded by patient donations and events such as quiz evenings. To date £170,000 has been raised. The Friends have also produced 77 editions of Capelfield News and organised presentations on crucial medical topics to inform patients further.

The Friends of Capelfield Surgery committee urgently needs more trustees and asks everyone to consider joining. For information contact the secretary linda@wellsandcompany.co.uk.

source: Claygate Courier, October 2024 issue, page 16