WHAT IS WHEATHAMPSTEAD PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (WPPG)?

It is a partnership between the patients and the doctors of Wheathampstead:

• enabling a dialogue between doctors and patients to improve the quality of service provided
• provision of educational sessions on topics such as Heart Conditions, Osteoporosis, Men’s Health Problems, Dementia, Cancer, etc – by doctors and specialist speakers in both large and small forum
• providing help/facilities in areas such as depression/loneliness, bereavement, parenting, obesity/diet/fitness, smoking/alcohol/drug abuse, etc – areas identified by patients
• enabling the community of Wheathampstead to help shape the future policies of their Village Surgery.

These are some of the objectives envisaged by the Wheathampstead PPG. A committee will comprise patient volunteers, supported by the Doctors of the Village Surgery and communication to patients will be via Newsletter sent out at regular intervals. Patients will be asked for feedback, requests and suggestions.

The WPPG will need funding and patients of The Village Surgery are invited to become optional members (at £5 per household per year).  We need funds to set up additional services/facilities and to pay for venues such as The Memorial Hall, Hilldyke Centre, etc, for regular Health Education talks by Specialists on various medical subjects, as suggested by patients.

If you are a patient and wish to become a member of WPPG please ask the Surgery Receptionist for an Application Form. The fee is £5 per year per household (not each member). This fee entitles you to free admission to all the Health Talks, the WPPG Annual General Meeting with Speaker, and other future activities. Complete the form and include cash or cheque in an envelope when you ‘post’  in the red post box on the wall in the Surgery.   Alternatively, it would be greatly appreciated if you would consider completing the Standing Order section of the form for annual payment of the £5 per year membership - which reduces administration costs.  If unable to get to the Surgery please telephone Audrey Capy on 01582 832305 and she will send you a Membership form, with the Standing Order attached, together with a stamped, addressed envelope for return. 

Patients are also invited to communicate, via the red box on the surgery wall, feedback on the Health Talks, suggestions for future Health Talk subjects and ideas for improving healthcare facilities and services. YOU ARE A ‘PARTNER’ OF THE WPPG WITH THE DOCTORS SURGERY SO YOUR INPUT IS INVALUABLE.