Queensbridge Together Terms of Reference

These terms of reference apply to the patient participation group at the Queensbridge Group Practice, henceforth referred to as Queensbridge Together

Aims of Queensbridge Together

• To facilitate good relations between the GP practice (referred to as the ‘practice’ throughout this document) and patients by communicating patient experience, interests and concerns and providing feedback to the practice on current procedures and proposed new developments
• To work collaboratively and positively with the practice to improve services and facilities for patients and to act as a sounding board for practice staff on issues affecting patients
• To build two-way communication and co-operation between the practice and patients, other individuals and organisations in healthcare, and the wider community to the mutual benefit of all
• To act as a representative group to support the practice and influence local provision of health and social care

Structure & Membership

• Membership is open to all registered patients and their carers
• The Practice Manager is automatically a member
• Membership is open to all clinical and administrative staff at the Practice. It is expected that a designated senior member of the clinical staff (usually a partner) will attend meetings regularly.
• Membership will aim to reflect the patient profile and be widely representative and inclusive of different genders, ethnicities, ages and abilities as required in the GP contract
• The group will be non-political and non-sectarian, will at all times respect diversity, and will exemplify its commitment to the principles contained within the Equality Act
• Officers will be elected from among its members. These should include at least a Chair and a Secretary. Other posts may be created by the Annual General Meeting.

Management of meetings

• There will be a minimum of four meetings/year including the Annual General Meeting. An open invitation will be extended to practice staff to attend its meetings as agreed with the practice manager
• In the absence of the Chair, those members who are present will elect a Chair from among the attendees
• Relevant professionals or patients may be invited to specific meetings. Any such persons will respect the confidentiality of the group
• Decisions will be reached normally by consensus among those present. However, if a vote is required, decisions will be made by simple majority of those present and voting. In the event of a tied outcome the Chair may exercise a casting and additional vote
• All participants are expected to behave respectfully at all times and to abide by relevant codes of conduct.
• The Secretary will produce minutes of meetings to be considered and approved at the following meeting and subsequently be sent to members via email. Hard copies will be displayed in the practice.

Activities

Activities shall be determined by the members of the group and by the practice. They may include:

• Obtaining the views of patients who have attended the practice about the services delivered by the practice and obtain feedback from its registered patients about those services
• Reviewing any feedback received about the services delivered by the practice with practice staff and relevant members of the PPG with a view to agreeing the improvements (if any) to be made to those services
• Contributing to decision making at the practice and consult on service development and provision where appropriate, expressing opinions on these matters on behalf of patients. However, the final decisions on service delivery rest with the practice
• Acting as a sounding board to provide feedback on patients’ needs, concerns and interests and challenge the practice constructively whenever necessary, also helping patients to understand the practice viewpoint
• Communicating information which may promote or assist with health and social care
• Exploring overarching ideas and issues identified in patient surveys
• Maintaining a Queensbridge Together area in the waiting room of the practice with up-to-date information on current activities and opportunities for patients to comment (e.g. via a suggestion box). Where possible, the group will regularly meet, greet and engage with patients in the waiting area.
• Raising patient awareness of the range of services available at the surgery and help patients to  access/use such services more effectively.
• Making reasonable efforts during each financial year to review its membership in order to ensure that it is representative of the registered patients in the practice