Our virtual Patient Participation Group allows patients to feedback constructive comments and suggestions for improvements to services provided by the practice. It is run by volunteers who give up a bit of their time to be the voice of the patients to the surgery and to put on activities such as the newsletter and the health talks.
Please read more on our PPG history here
The Patient Group was formed after the HealthMakers Self-Management course in October 2019.
I found the course very interesting and have since become a HealthMaker Volunteer which involves liaising with other Volunteers in the Bracknell area. The NHS is for everyone and requires additional volunteer resources to enable all patients to receive the best service and care. As a patient Group we meet with the Management of the Waterfield Practice monthly and offer our suggestions and opinions on the practice operation. You will have seen the Patient Group Volunteering as Stewards at the Flu vaccinations in September 2019 at Kings Academy.
Being a member of The Patient Group is very interesting and has the potential to improve the Waterfield Practice experience for all the patients. As Volunteers we have gelled into a great unit with positive ideas which we feel will be to the benefit of both the practice and the community. It is my opinion helping people to cope with their long-term medical conditions and being able to talk to people other than medical practitioners will be a benefit to all concerned.
The Waterfield Practice Virtual POP IN Cafe
Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown Bracknell HealthMakers Group held a regular face to face POP In Cafe at The Open Learning Centre.
Since lockdown, The Waterfield Patient Group via HealthMakers has developed a Virtual POP IN Cafe which is held on a monthly basis online via a NHS platform called One-Consultation. We want to make these virtual meetings as close as possible to a face-to-face group meeting.
The new virtual pop in is held on the last Wednesday of each month and we would love to see more patients joining us. The session normally lasts an hour, people can POP IN for a short period and then leave, it all depends on their personal preferences. This gives you a chance to meet, make new friendships and share your own experiences. These sessions enable people to receive peer support from the community.
So if you are a Waterfield patient and would be interested in participating, you can indicate this by filling our webform to express your interest and to give the practice permission to share your email address with the Patient Group allowing you to receive an invite to the meetings. The meetings are free and all we ask is that you provide your own tea/coffee! Hope to chat to you soon.
Roy Sutherland
