Over the last two years we have held Patient Participation Group (PPG) events. These events are where patients, PPG members, NHS staff, and others can all come together to celebrate the work of PPGs in the city, look at the good stuff going on in Leeds and talk about ways to overcome some of the barriers we face in making PPGs work. 

Our PPG event project group (made up of patients, PPG members, and NHS staff) are in the process of getting the final details down for the agenda and the other particulars; taking on board feedback and suggestions from attendees at the previous events.

The focus for this year is "PPGs in Practice" as a number of people in the evaluation from last year told us they want to see examples of what PPGs are getting up to. We're looking to hear from as many PPGs as possible in what they're doing across the city. We'll be contacting practices and PPGs directly to give them the opportunity to promote what you're doing in your practices, this might be via a poster, a video presentation, an on-the-day presentation or via a stall at the event, whatever you're comfortable with! If you are interested you can let us know when you book onto the event.

In the meantime, be sure to get yourself booked onto attend this year's event which is taking place in October. We were fully booked and oversubscribed at both events so far, so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment. If you are not au fait with Eventbrite and would prefer to book over the phone, please contact Anna Walters on 0113 843 5470 and she can book you.

Please share this out to whoever you think might be interested and be sure to share with your GP practice and PPG! 

If you are interested in holding a stall please indicate so in the questions when you book onto the event. (Additional details below)

If you have any questions please contact Adam Stewart on adam.stewart1@nhs.net or by calling 0113 843 5470. We will add to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs, below) as they come in.

We hope to see you at the Headingley Experience in October.

FAQs

I attended last year, are you using any of the feedback from the last event?

Absolutely, we have taken on board all the key points to make this event the best it can be. This includes items on the event's agenda as well as more practical aspects such as feedback on the venue's facilities and the food provided.

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

There is enough parking for all attendees of the event. There is a smaller car park, close to the entrance for attendees who might have mobility issues, and another big car park on site too. Following on from issues last year with the parking, we have been assured by the venue that there will be parking as the building work has progressed so the builders won't be in the car park.

We will post additional information regarding public transportation soon.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Please contact Adam Stewart by emailing adam.stewart1@nhs.net or calling 0113 843 5470

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, Eventbrite will automatically send you a ticket but it isn't essential to attend.

When will the agenda be available?

We are working hard with the PPG event project group to finalise the agenda and make it available as soon as possible. We will share it as soon as it is confirmed.

It sounds great, is there anything I can do to help?

Absolutely! Please spread the word and share the event details with anyone you think might be interested in attending. 

What if I have a special requirement or access need?

If you have a special requirement or access need (such as being deaf/hard of hearing, having a dietary requirement, or a mobility issue) then please let us know when you book. After confirming your place online you can do that by emailing adam.stewart1@nhs.net or if you call to book or 0113 843 5470 then you can do it then. We will also ask about any additional needs or requirements closer to the time as a reminder.

I'm interested in holding a stall at the event, what do I need to do?

That's great you would like a stall. We're doing it a little differently this year. We will be taking expressions of interest to hold a stall until 1 September 2019. After that, the project group will decide who will attend with a stall. We're doing it this way for a few reasons:

• There's less space for stalls this year. We're looking at around 12 spaces for stalls (though there might be more once we have confirmed the agenda and room layout.

• We're encouraging organisations and PPGs to host stalls so we want to make sure the most appropriate stalls are on display. 

If you are attending anyway but would like a stall you can express your interest when you book via the online form. If you wouldn't be attending unless you had a stall please email adam.stewart1@nhs.net to express an interest in booking a stall.

Please note that we're asking all stall holders to stay for the duration of the event (until the last coffee break has finished) and, specifically, not to leave earlier than that. We had a number of people feedback last year that they would have benefitted from being able to talk with stalls but they had gone early. Please bear this in mind when booking or expressing an interest in having a stall.