Time for a Napp at GP’s

GRAHAM Box presents a “Proud to have a Patient Participation Group” sticker to volunteers at Saddleworth Medical Practice

Saddleworth volunteers show way

Medical volunteers in Saddleworth have received an extra special thank you this week for their efforts in the local community.

Graham Box, chief executive of the National Association for Patient Participation (Napp), cycled into Uppermill as part of a 300-mile national tour to recognise the valuable work done by caring helpers.

Around 30,000 people currently volunteer in patient participation groups across the country, working with their practice to set up support groups and improve services.

But this means that there are still less than half of surgeries with such volunteers.

Graham said: “Patients have more to offer their doctors than their illnesses.

“A lot of organisations suffer the same problem in that they become detached from the people across the country.

“I’m doing the tour to witness the work done and bring more attention to these people’s efforts.”

“I bought the bike in January but didn’t get on it until April so I’ve been a bit sweaty so far — it’s been hard going.”

Cycling from Stockton-on-Tees to Saddleworth, Graham then continued on to Warrington and Shropshire before completing the “Mud, Sweat and Gears” challenge in Somerset tomorrow.

Kath Edwards, chair of the Saddleworth group, said: “I like listening to people and finding out what they want from their health service rather than what it already offers.

“Several members joined and wanted to make a difference in the community, so we have set up a local support group for people with memory problems and their carers.

“We’re also involved in raising the profile of the group with the Primary Care Trust, playing a wider role particularly with the possibility of a new health centre in Saddleworth.”

Group members proudly displayed a sticker which read “Proud to have a Patient Participation Group” on the Smithy Lane surgery door in Uppermill, before going into a meeting to discuss the future role of the group in the community.

NHS Oldham has now set a target for every practice to have a similar working group by March, 2011.