Patient Reference Group - PRG
Our Practice Patient Reference Group (PRG) was formed in 2011, with the intention of our patients becoming more of an integral part of our Practice. Thank you to those across the years who have been involved.
The Group was established to allow patients to become critical friends of our Practice, providing feedback and insight into the quality of the service we provide.
Groups across the country were designed to also organise health promotion events and carry out research into the views of patients along with acting as a sounding board for consultation on changes to services which may be considered.
Whilst the Heathgate PRG has not completed all of these activities, it has certainly acted as a critical friend providing feedback on services, listening and understanding some of the challenges we have, and continue to face in Primary Care, often offering solutions and recommendations from a patients perspective. The PRG was critical in the design of our extended hours service, supporting the stance for local provision at the Practice and not across other South Norfolk Practices.
We have shared updates on different clinical matters and arranged themed clinical meetings including dementia awareness and prostate testing.
The pandemic and pressures in Practice had an effect on regular meetings (copies of minutes of those pre-pandemic meetings are still available on request), and so we looked to re-establish the group in February 2024, with a smaller membership meeting to explore how we could re-establish a group more akin to the national expectations of a PRG, with a patient representative managing and leading the group.
No on came forward to directly take on the role and so when we have had a need to discuss a plan, proposal or change in services, we have used the former group contacts to consult with. Most recently we have asked a select group of 10 former interested parties or former members to meet us about our autumn/winter planning 2026. That meeting took place on Friday 2nd October 2026.
We have our regular community flu and covid booster vaccination events coming up in October 2026 and so we have created a information flyer to try and re-engage with our patients on the group, its membership and leadership.
If you would like to join the PRG, please contact the Practice at nsicb.mail.heathgate@nhs.net
Thank you to all for your continued interest, support and engagement with the Practice.