Here we are again at the end of April and so much seems to be happening in the world of PPGs!
In last month’s blog we mentioned meeting a talented writer called Debbie. She is a survivor of childhood cancer and teamed up with equally talented filmmakers to produce a short film about her experiences of having radiotherapy. We were privileged to be invited to a screening of the film at Dorset County Hospital. The film was a powerful way to give an insight to how a patient feels when they are having treatment, and hopefully in the future we will be able to share the film with you.
We met with Laura Brooks from Sport in Mind, a mental health sports charity that runs sessions in Dorset. Formed in 2010, the organisation’s mission is to deliver physical activity (sport, walking, dance and movement, gardening and exercise sessions) in partnership with the NHS, to aid recovery, promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health, combat social isolation and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction. If you want more information about their activities please contact us.
Jim caught up again with PPG members in Weymouth & Portland and Anna from Public Health Dorset about a project to encourage people to look after their own health and wellbeing. We’re looking to introduce healthy eating initiatives alongside the PPGs’ successful health talks. Please get in touch with Jim if you want more information about this.
Gill hosted the PPG stand at the Sandford Health & Wellbeing event. It was so good to see so many health and wellbeing organisations in attendance and the event was really well supported by local residents. At the Sandford PPG meeting later in the month, the group was delighted to report on the excellent feedback received at and following the event, and are hoping to plan something similar later in the year.
Blackmore Vale PPG in Sturminster Newton invited Gill along to their meeting where the group received a very helpful update from the practice, as well as a very interesting discussion about the carers’ clinics, and some updates on several projects being carried out by the PPG.
Barcellos Surgery PPG meeting was Gill’s next outing, where the group discussed how to encourage participation from young people. We also heard about the Digital Doorway initiative which gives devices and in some cases pre-paid mobile data to eligible Dorset Council residents.
Later that day Gill met with the Practice Manager at Poole Town surgery, who was keen to discuss how to encourage more feedback and participation from patients, with a view to having some face-to-face engagement.
At Puddletown Surgery, along with their quarterly PPG meetings with the wider group, the surgery meets monthly with the PPG chair, vice-chair and secretary to get updates on PPG projects. This month there was a focus on a questionnaire the PPG are planning to run in the coming months. Jim has found this to be a good way to build even better relationships between the practice and PPG along with developing projects more quickly.
The East Dorset Health & Wellbeing group (hosted by Public Health Dorset) invited Gill to their April meeting to talk about her role. It was such a good opportunity to ‘fly the PPG flag’ and showcase the excellent engagement work being carried out by Dorset’s sterling PPGs!
Part of our role is to help to build a network of PPGs who can talk to each other and share experiences and knowledge, and Sherborne Grove PPG seized the opportunity to do this when they invited members from Yetminster PPG to go along to their PPG meeting. Gill was really interested to hear the exciting plans for their PCN health & wellbeing event in May!
Jim went to the second meeting of the Kinson Road PPG in Bournemouth, there was a great turnout and excellent feedback given about the reception team and new phone system. At the Bridges PPG meeting in Weymouth, Sue, the fantastic chair for the last few years, stepped back. Jim was really pleased to see Meridy will be the new chair going forward and Sue will be her deputy.
It’s not unusual for us to find ourselves meeting with several PPGs and practices in one day! Gill went along to the ‘Shore Champions’ PPG meeting in Poole, where we received an excellent presentation on the work of the primary care network’s cancer nurse, which was incredibly interesting. Later in the day Gill met with the Penny’s Hill PPG in Ferndown where one of the GPs took time to provide a really useful update to the group which was extremely well received.
Gill was invited to attend the Sherborne Apples surgery PPG meeting where we saw the first draft of their excellent PPG information leaflet. Many people across the country still don’t know about PPGs so it is so good to see leaflets like these being produced to make patients aware.
Jim was pleased to be invited to a talk hosted by Prince of Wales PPG in Poundbury. The talk was led by Mike Watson, a PPG member and volunteer digital champion for Dorset Council, highlighting the ways people can manage their health digitally. There was positive feedback from the group and more talks are planned for the future!
At the end of April Gill went along to the Blandford Surgery Health & Wellbeing event, which is held on the last Tuesday morning of every month (except June 2024). The surgery has been so pleased with the uptake from patients having health checks and learning about self-care.
Outside of work Jim and Kelly had friends visit from Lincoln and they took a boat trip from Weymouth to Lulworth Cove (would definitely recommend!). They also set the alarm early one Saturday morning and went to Radipole nature reserve to experience the sunrise and dawn chorus.
Away from work Gill and her husband enjoyed another weekend away, this time to see Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton tribute acts! Gill also spent a day grandson sitting while her daughter enjoyed a much needed and well-deserved spa break.
So, on we go into May, and there’s a rumour that the rain may stop! A huge thank you to all the PPGs who invite us along to their meetings and events, and we look forward to working with even more of you as the year progresses! Don’t forget, if you’d like our advice or support with your PPGs or health events, please do just drop us a line.
