Dear Fellow Patient,

I thought this might be an opportune time to introduce you to the Patient Participation Group.The committee is made up of ordinary patients who want to be more involved with how the practice operates, acting as a conduit if you like, between the doctors and their patients. Fortunately we get very few complaints from patients but we may well face challenges in the future with the amount of housing being built in the area. We meet around 4 or 5 times a year, and a member of the practice is always present. We are kept informed of what is happening within Primary Care in the NHS, we can put forward suggestions, and discuss the feedback received from patients via the Friends and Family Test.

We also organise a monthly Social Walk for Health, assist at the flu clinics and help organise a Christmas Mince Pie and Sherry Party for selected patients. We also raise money for our chosen charity (at the present time it’s My Cancer My Choices) by selling books and donations from the walkers. Also, from time to time, we organise public meetings to raise awareness of various health issues. Just as lockdown commenced, we were busy setting up a public meeting to discuss Diabetes 2, which unfortunately is now on hold until we can get back to some form of normality.

If you would like to know more, then please give me a ring on 07776 202034 or send me an email.

I realise these are challenging times and I hope that you and those you love are coping with the situation. Please follow all the guidance and wear a mask, particularly if you are in an indoor situation such as shopping.

Kind regards and take care,

Andy Wells-King

Chair, New Wokingham Road Surgery Patients’ Group