Get Involved: How Patients Are Shaping GP Services in Herefordshire
How PPGs Help Shape Services
PPGs provide an important bridge between patients and healthcare providers by:
- Giving feedback on existing services and patient experiences
- Suggesting improvements in how care is delivered
- Supporting health education and local awareness campaigns
- Helping practices understand what matters most to patients
- Influencing decisions on service changes or resource priorities
In addition, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) supports a virtual PPG network, helping groups across the region share ideas and good practice.
🌐 Other Ways to Get Involved
While PPGs focus on GP practices, there are many other ways you can help shape the wider health and care system in Herefordshire:
1. Feedback to Healthwatch Herefordshire
Healthwatch Herefordshire is the independent champion for people using health and social care services in the county. You can:
- Share your experience of care online or by phone
- Take part in surveys or focus groups
- Volunteer to support local feedback events
- Help shape local services through community research projects
Every story shared with us is used collectively to influence decisions made by NHS providers, local authorities, and the ICS.
2. Join the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Involvement Network (HWIN)
Run by the ICB, HWIN is a public involvement network that connects patients and community members with system-wide healthcare decisions. As a member, you’ll:
- Receive regular updates on NHS changes and consultations
- Be invited to attend meetings, workshops, or focus groups
- Share your views on a wide range of health and care topics
How to join:
Complete the form on the ICS website or email hw.engage@nhs.net.
3. Engage With NHS Providers
Each NHS trust in Herefordshire runs its own patient involvement programmes. For example:
- Wye Valley NHS Trust hosts regular Patient and Public Involvement forums, where patients can take part in meetings and provide feedback on hospital and community services.
- Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust runs a Community Engagement Panel to review documents, plans, and policies affecting mental health and adult services.
- You can also provide direct feedback to NHS providers through the Friends and Family Test, patient surveys, or by contacting Patient Relations teams.
Why Your Voice Matters
When patients speak, services improve. Whether you share a story, join a group, or fill out a survey, you help:
- Improve communication between patients and staff
- Identify and fix barriers to access
- Shape services that are more responsive, inclusive, and efficient
- Highlight health inequalities and influence change
Together, these efforts create a health system that works better — not just for today’s patients, but for future generations too.
At a glance -Ways to Get involved in Herefordshire
| Healthwatch Herefordshire | Share experiences, take part in research, volunteer | Visit healthwatchherefordshire.co.uk or call 01432 277044 |
| Join your GP’s PPG | Attend meetings, give feedback, support practice initiatives | Ask your GP receptionist or visit their website |
| HWIN (Involvement Network) | Share views, get updates, influence system-wide change | Sign up via HWICS site or email hw.engage@nhs.net |
| Wye Valley NHS Trust Forums | Attend patient panels or consultation events | Visit Wye Valley PPI page |
| Community Engagement Panel (HWHCT) | Help review policies and documents | Visit hacw.nhs.uk/get-involved |
Whether you attend a PPG meeting at your local surgery or join a county-wide panel, your voice can make a real difference to how care is planned, delivered, and improved. Healthcare works best when it’s designed with patients, not just for them — and in Herefordshire, there are more ways than ever to get involved.
Want help finding your local group or submitting feedback?
Get in touch with us or if would like to share your experiences with us call the team on 01432 277044 or click the Have Your Say link below.
Are you a GP practice looking for help with PPGs?
Then have a look at our Patient Participation Group (PPG) Toolkit is a practical guide for GP practices and patients to set up, support, and strengthen their PPGs. PPGs give patients a voice in shaping local health services and improving care.
