GPs Must Connect With Their Community

Integral to practice success, healthcare teams must connect with the communities they serve. In this article, Dr. Neil Churchill discusses a new online training course aimed at helping professionals strengthen these vital skills

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on NHS England

Every GP practice is contractually obligated to establish a formal Patient Participation Group (PPG) to gather feedback and insights on the needs and preferences of their patient population. However, transforming this requirement into a practical initiative that truly benefits both the practice, and its patients can be challenging. Creating an effective PPG involves more than just ticking a box; it requires genuine engagement with patients to ensure their voices are heard.

A new online course, developed in collaboration with GPs, members of patient participation groups and the wider public, aims to help practice staff strengthen their connections with the broader community. This course equips staff with skills to navigate challenges related to relationship management and implement actionable insights effectively.

Created by the People and Communities team at NHS England and hosted on the FutureLearn platform, it showcases and celebrates innovative strategies that GP practices can adopt to enhance community engagement.

The course is accessible to colleagues in primary care, especially those working in GP practices and members of Patient Participation Groups (PPGs), through the FutureLearn platform. Developed in collaboration between the NHS and FutureLearn, it is open to everyone. Members of the public can access the course for free for the first two weeks.

Additionally, members of PPGs, NHS staff, social care professionals, or those affiliated with NHS-commissioned service organisations can upgrade to receive free ongoing access and a certificate upon completion.