Campaign Update: Issue 5

Happy New Year and welcome to this, the first issue of the Growing Patient Participation Campaign Update in 2010. This issue focuses on using the media to communicate effectively with your surgery’s patient population, and with the wider local community.

Touching on some of the themes explored in the recently launched Growing Patient Participation communications toolkit for PPGs, this update will provide food for thought when considering how to get the word out about what you do.
 

The key to publicising your success

Earlier this month, the campaign launched an effort to raise awareness of PPGs in local media. Some of you may have seen coverage in your local press. Click here for an example of the type of coverage being achieved.

Regularly showcasing the work of your PPG is important in demonstrating its value, to practice staff and the wider patient population, as well as the local Primary Care Trust. Equally, it can help in drawing interest from prospective new members, and can inspire those in neighbouring practices to get their own group up and running.

If you have a development, success or activity you want to publicise or announce through the local media, why not consider these simple steps to success:

1. Carry out a quick audit of your local media, gathering contact details for local newspapers, parish or borough magazines and radio stations.

2. Think about what is going to make your story appeal to the media. Do you have pictures or spokespeople available? Is your activity pioneering or a key milestone for the group?

3. Package up your story by drafting a press release that outlines the who, what, when, where and how of your story – and has a punchy headline! (Don’t forget, in section 5d of the toolkit – downloadable here - there is a template press release for you to tailor.)

4. Don’t just rely on email – it’s important to pick up the phone to your target journalist and ‘sell’ the story to them.

5. In addition to the media, consider using posters/leaflets in and around the surgery waiting room, word of mouth, your PPG newsletter, events and the surgery website to help spread the news further.

See section 4 of the communications toolkit for top tips on writing a press release.
 

PPG Focus

This PPG Focus actually looks at the work of a PCT, and its efforts to help support its local PPGs.

Using the Growing Patient Participation communications toolkit as a guide, NHS Norfolk recently secured a selection of articles in a range of regional newspapers, including the Eastern Daily Press and the Norwich Evening News, with a story calling for people to get involved with their local GP surgery by joining or forming a PPG.  

The PCT has also set up a PPG Information Exchange Newsletter, featuring best practice examples, ideas and advice, and that provides PPGs with a platform to share insights and ideas with other groups. In addition, a special section of the NHS Norfolk website , dedicated to supporting PPGs, is also being developed. The overarching aim is to bring all PPGs in the area together as part of a single ‘community’.
 

PPG tips – helpful hints from PPGs

Recruiting new members

Hear for Patients at The Bute Practice in Rothesay, Scotland, recommends using local media to launch an appeal for new members. They recently secured coverage in The Buteman under the headline ‘Patient group seeks new faces’. The piece also featured a short profile about the PPG, why it was set up, how it works, and its aims and achievements to date.

Publicising events

The Wincanton PPG at the Wincanton Health Centre in Somerset used the local media to help generate interest in the first in its series of ‘information evenings’, aimed at providing the local community with advice and guidance on a range of health issues. They gained coverage of the upcoming event in the online version of the local Blackmore Vale Magazine. As a result, their information evening about dementia was well attended by a cross section of the community.

If you have a hint or tip to share, email us with your contribution.