Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock showed his support for
the Berry Lane Patient Participation Group when he dropped in last Friday.
The
Patient Participation Group gives patients the opportunity to get involved
with and support the running of the Berry Lane GP practice. The group includes
members of the practice staff and they meet at regular intervals to discuss how
to improve the services and facilities offered by the surgery.
Mr
Metcalfe joined the Group for one of their regular meetings and was able to
answer questions from the group about upcoming changes to the health service.
Mr
Metcalfe commented: “I was very pleased to have been asked to attend the
meeting. The Group is a good example of all stakeholders, from doctors to
patients, working together for the common good and to improve the service
patients receive. It was also a great opportunity for me to hear the concerns
and thoughts of both patients and healthcare professionals.”
“Patient
involvement in healthcare is a very high priority for the NHS and will become
even more so as GPs make the transition into Clinical Commissioning Groups next
week. Patient Participation Groups offer a positive line of communication
with patients and I would encourage all practices in my constituency to start
one.”
