Updating our Patient Participation Group

At the Patient Participation Group (PPG) Annual General Meeting in October 2025, we spoke about the need to update our constitution so that it better reflects the world we now operate in - both for patients and for the practice.

Bob Bowes, Senior Partner at Kingswood Surgery, reinforced the importance of hearing from a wider range of voices across our patient community as we look ahead to the future of primary care and the NHS 10-year plan.

Since then, the PPG has worked with the practice partners to review and update the constitution. We are pleased to confirm that the revised constitution was formally agreed by the partners on 3 March 2026.

What does this mean for patients?

Traditionally, Patient Participation Groups have relied on a small number of patients attending meetings. While this remains important, we know that many patients would still like their voice to be heard even if they do not have the time to attend meetings.

The updated constitution allows us to broaden how patients can be involved.

The PPG will continue to operate with a small core group of patient members working closely with the practice. Alongside this, we are introducing a wider #PatientVoices network, enabling more patients to contribute insight, feedback and ideas.

Through #PatientVoices, patients may be invited from time to time to:

• share feedback through short surveys
• highlight areas where accessing care can be difficult or confusing
• contribute insight into how services are experienced
• take part in occasional events or discussions shaped by patient insight

This helps the practice and the PPG better understand how care is accessed and experienced across our wider patient community.

The 3-3-3 Engagement Cycle

The PPG will use a simple engagement model designed to create a regular “pulse” of patient insight throughout the year.

Each cycle includes:

• Insight - listening to patients through surveys or feedback
• Action - responding with a targeted activity or event informed by that insight
• Communication - sharing what was heard, what was done and what changed

This cycle will run three times per year, helping the practice better understand and reduce inequalities in access to care while building confidence and clarity for patients.

For patients who have already expressed an interest in becoming involved, we will be in touch shortly with further information.

We look forward to continuing to work together with our patient community to ensure that patient voices help shape how care is experienced at Kingswood Surgery.

Published: Apr 22, 2026