We use cookies to help provide you with the best possible online experience.
By using this site, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device. Cookie policy.
Cookie settings.
Functional Cookies
Functional Cookies are enabled by default at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings and ensure site works and delivers best experience.
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Patient Participation Group
Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) meets to provide a forum for discussion about the practice.
Support Your Practice – Get Involved
Since November 2012, West Hampstead Medical Centre has benefited from a dedicated Patient Participation Group as well as smaller subgroups made up of both the PPG patients and members of the practice team.
These groups play a vital role in building a strong bridge between the practice and our patients, promoting clear communication and ensuring patient views and priorities are at the heart of how we develop and monitor our services.
How Can I Get Involved?
We would like to invite all of our patients to sign up to join our Patient Participation Group mailing list and give your consent to receive regular updates and newsletters from the practice. As a member of this wider group, you will:
- Receive regular updates and newsletters
- Be invited to attend open meetings at the practice
- Be asked for your views on specific issues being discussed
- Be able to submit ideas or concerns for consideration by the Patient Participation Group and practice management
Interested in Joining the Patient Participation Group?
Our Patient Participation Group is currently limited to 12 patient members, this is predominantly due to the tight space constraints in our meeting room. Our PPG meetings can also include up to 4 members of the practice team, making the room quite full and discussions more complex to manage and chair.
While places on the Patient Participation Group may be limited, we will always welcome any expressions of interest. If the group is at full capacity, we will add your name to the Patient Participation Group waiting list and let you know as soon as a place becomes available.
In the meantime, by joining the mailing list you will receive regular updates and newsletters and stay involved in the practice’s development.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or require any further information about joining the mailing list or Patient Participation Group, please contact the online Patient Participation Group Liaison Lead, Karen McCormack.
We look forward to working together to help shape and improve our services for all.
Latest PPG Minutes
Tuesday 4th February 2025 @ 5.30pm – 7.00pm
- Chair: Renee Bernstein (RB) – PPG Member
- PPG Members Present: Jane Shaw (JS), Jill Ackroyd (JA), Sean Baine (SB), David Richards (DR), Charles Boucher (CB), Leon Douglas (LD), David Lavis (DL), Elizabeth Horridge (EH), Tove Steedman (TS), Neil Fletcher (NF), Sara Dibb (SD), Mark Keeler (MK), Jane Enraght Moony (JEM)
- Surgery Staff Present: Dr. Ehsan Alkizwini (EA), Dr. Ben Bromilow (BB), Karen McCormack (KM)
- Apologies: Dr. Birgit Curtis
Introduction & Welcome
RB welcomed all members and introduced the newly appointed Social Prescriber at WHMC – Joseph Graham.
Items for discussion:
- Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the meeting held on 3rd December 2024 were approved.
Matters Arising from Last Meeting
Item 1 – Engagement with Councillor Richard Olszewski
- EA has attempted contact with no response.
- MK questioned who is best placed to assist with the practice’s space concerns.
- Group agreed to continue pursuing the Councillor for a set time and then contact Anna Wright if no response is received within two weeks. NF and DR to attempt engagement at the local Labour Council meeting on 5th February 2025.
Action: NF to update EA & BB on the outcome of the meeting.
Action: EA to contact Anna Wright if Councillor Olszewski has not confirmed attendance by 6th February
Item 2 – Welcome to New PPG Members
- New members Sara, Mark, and Jane were introduced and welcomed.
Action: Updated contact list shared.
Item 3 – Newsletter Video
- BB confirmed that the video has been added to patient waiting screens.
Item 5 – Collective Action & Royal Free Relationships
- To remain on agenda for ongoing updates.
Item 7 – Patient Stand Screen for Privacy
- Screen moved for better patient privacy but remains underutilized.
Action: Surgery to enquire about removal once contract expires.
Surgery, PCN & Neighbourhoods Updates
- No changes in the practice or PCN with Abbey Medical Centre.
- WHMC is aligned with Abbey Medical Centre but crosses two neighbourhood groups.
- Limited space at WHMC prevents provision of integrated community services.
Action: Partners to document PCN’s current situation and share service locations with PPG.
Action: PPG members to consider what services patients need and how best to deliver them.
Collective Action / BMA Recommendations
- WHMC continues to opt against collective action.
Action: To remain an agenda item for updates.
Practice Newsletter (Next Issue – April 2025)
- General agreement to continue with the bi-annual newsletter.
- MK suggested shortening content to engage younger patients.
Action: Newsletter subgroup (RB, CB, LH, KM) to review format and content.
Action: Consider future themed issues, e.g., young mums’ issue.
New PPG Members & Promotion
- Maintained a strong membership but recognize demographic gaps.
- BB suggested a video to promote PPG on waiting room screens.
Action: JS & MK to develop a patient questionnaire.
Action: BB & SD to design a PPG promotional video.
Action: Call for volunteers to engage with patients in the waiting room.
2025 Open Meeting Planning
- Proposed date: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
- Topics: Integrated care, practice estates, new government health policies, social prescribing, preventative care, and patient questionnaire insights.
Action: Subgroup formed (EA, CB, LD, JEM) to plan event.
Royal Free Relationships
- SB & BB shared concerns with Royal Free Hospital (RFH).
- SB to allow six months for RFH to respond.
Action: BB & SB to arrange another meeting before May PPG meeting.
Action: SB to share concerns email with KM for circulation.
Action: PPG members to provide patient experience feedback on RFH.
NCL PPG Learning & Networking Event Insights
- CB attended and shared insights.
- Recruitment of new members and visibility were key topics.
Action: Encourage PPG members to engage with waiting room patients.
AOB
- Winter Safety: Surgery ensures the entrance is gritted and safe during icy conditions.
Proposed Future Meeting Dates
- Tuesday 13th May 2025 (Leon to Chair)
- Tuesday 2nd September 2025 (Open Meeting)
PPG Chairs
- Currently chaired by Renee & Leon, but a third chair is needed.
- Action: PPG members to consider volunteering as a third chair on a rotating basis.
Meeting adjourned.
- Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th May 2025 – 5:30pm to 7pm.