Newbury and Community PCT

Newbury and Community PCT's public involvement strategy affords a prominent role to PPGs. These were established in all of the PCT's eleven practices, though one is currently not operational. Their focus varies considerably to meet local need and they have been in place for some five years now.Each PPG is then represented on the Patients' Panel for the PCT, together with representatives from other Forums, such as those for Carers, Disability and PPI Forums. This allows patients to network and to put forward ideas and highlight their concerns. It is also an opportunity for the PCT to involve patients in its work, as well as communicating some of the major issues that face the local health economy.The importance of the Panel is illustrated by the fact that it is chaired by a non-Executive Director of the PCT (and once a year by the Chairman of the Board) with the Chief Executive attending on an ad hoc basis.