Patient Participation Group
Non-urgent advice: The Aims of the Patient Participation Group (PPG)
In April 2011, Yarm Medical Practice formed a Patient Participation Group (PPG). The aim of this group is to be able to express their views about the services within the practice whilst supporting changes which may be made to enhance the patient services.
The practice has found this a very beneficial process and will continue meeting with the patient representatives. However if you would like to be involved (perhaps there is a certain area of improvement you would like us to discuss or suggestions for future survey topics), we would welcome your input. We understand that it is often difficult when working or looking after dependants to attend meetings, therefore offering your input 'virtually' would enable you to be involved.
If you are happy for us to contact you occasionally by email please click the link below to open the sign-up form and complete all the fields.
PPG Meeting 02/09/2025 - Minutes and Slides
Patient Participation Group (PPG) Update
Meeting Date: 9 February 2025
The PPG brings together patients and practice staff to share ideas, raise issues, and help improve services at Yarm Medical Practice.
Welcome
We welcomed Christine Nicholson, who has joined the group. Members introduced themselves so everyone could get to know each other.
Additional Roles at Yarm Medical Practice
We heard a presentation from Daniel Hallsworth, our PCN Digital Transformation Lead, about the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). This scheme funds extra healthcare staff who work alongside doctors and nurses to give patients a wider range of support.
At Yarm, these roles include:
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Clinical Pharmacists – able to spend more time with patients on medication reviews, making sure prescriptions are safe and effective.
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Pharmacy Technicians – helping with medicines management and repeat prescriptions.
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General Practice Assistants – supporting GPs with admin and clinical tasks to free up time.
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Social Prescribers – offering practical and emotional support, linking patients with community groups, activities, and services.
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Other specialist roles across the practice team.
These additional staff mean patients can access more tailored care, whether that’s emotional support, help with lifestyle changes, or more in-depth medication reviews.
Digital Transformation – Launch of SystmConnect
Daniel also updated us on the launch of SystmConnect, a new online system available to patients at Yarm Medical Practice.
What it offers:
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Request routine appointments online without having to call the practice.
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24/7 access to submit non-urgent admin requests (such as sick notes, repeat prescriptions, or letters).
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Aims of the system:
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Reduce waiting times on the phone.
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Make it easier to access care at any time of day.
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Improve efficiency for both patients and staff.
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We discussed how patients who aren’t confident with technology can still get help. Options include support from Reception staff, family members, or a nominated proxy.
One suggestion was to refer to Reception staff as “Care Navigators”, to better reflect their role in guiding patients to the right type of support. This will be shared with the practice management team.
Patient Feedback Survey
The group asked for detailed results from the patient survey carried out in June (not just the headline figures). These will be provided for discussion at a future meeting.
Next Meeting
The next PPG meeting will take place on:
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Click here to download the slides from the meeting.
Patient Practice Group Minutes Archive
Non-urgent advice: Getting Your View
The group would like to contact patients on occasion by email and/or text so that they can obtain the views of the widest group of patients possible. We would like to obtain your email address and mobile phone number to do this. Please complete the Patient Contact Form to provide your consent for this.
Page created: 20 March 2023