Bringing Patient Voices Together: Our Primary Care PPG Forum
We are pleased to share an update from our latest Primary Care Patient Participation Group (PPG) Forum — an important space where PPG members from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough come together to share experiences, strengthen relationships with GP practices, and influence improvements in primary care.
Our PPG Forums are held seven times a year: three for the North Place (Peterborough, Fenlands, Huntingdonshire), three for the South Place (Cambridge, South Cambs and Ely), and one countywide combined forum that brings everyone together. This structure ensures that local issues can be explored in depth while also creating opportunities for shared learning across the whole area.
Our most recent combined forum brought together representatives from 14 GP surgeries, alongside members of the Cambridge City Primary Care Network and the Cambridgeshire South Care Partnership team. Through a series of workshops and discussions, participants explored what has been working well within their PPGs, how to reach a broader and more diverse patient voice, and how to build stronger relationships with practice staff.
The conversations were rich and insightful. Groups shared examples of successful initiatives — from helping at vaccine clinics and running health education events, to training patients in using the NHS App and supporting practice open days. Many PPGs have been strengthening their role as a bridge between patients and practices, offering feedback, supporting communication, and getting more involved in community activities.
Participants also highlighted ongoing challenges across primary care, including concerns about practice capacity, the impact of new housing developments, the future of patient engagement, and the need for clearer communication about how Primary Care Networks operate.
These forums continue to demonstrate the real value of bringing PPG members together: sharing practical ideas, supporting one another, and ensuring patient perspectives are heard at every level of the health and care system.
We are grateful to everyone who took part and look forward to continuing these important conversations at our next North and South Place sessions.
Our PPG Forums are held seven times a year: three for the North Place (Peterborough, Fenlands, Huntingdonshire), three for the South Place (Cambridge, South Cambs and Ely), and one countywide combined forum that brings everyone together. This structure ensures that local issues can be explored in depth while also creating opportunities for shared learning across the whole area.
Our most recent combined forum brought together representatives from 14 GP surgeries, alongside members of the Cambridge City Primary Care Network and the Cambridgeshire South Care Partnership team. Through a series of workshops and discussions, participants explored what has been working well within their PPGs, how to reach a broader and more diverse patient voice, and how to build stronger relationships with practice staff.
The conversations were rich and insightful. Groups shared examples of successful initiatives — from helping at vaccine clinics and running health education events, to training patients in using the NHS App and supporting practice open days. Many PPGs have been strengthening their role as a bridge between patients and practices, offering feedback, supporting communication, and getting more involved in community activities.
Participants also highlighted ongoing challenges across primary care, including concerns about practice capacity, the impact of new housing developments, the future of patient engagement, and the need for clearer communication about how Primary Care Networks operate.
These forums continue to demonstrate the real value of bringing PPG members together: sharing practical ideas, supporting one another, and ensuring patient perspectives are heard at every level of the health and care system.
We are grateful to everyone who took part and look forward to continuing these important conversations at our next North and South Place sessions.
Report
