Tuesday, June 4, saw the official launch of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) set-up by the Argyle Medical Group.

The group is made up of representatives from Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Neyland Town Councils, Pembrokeshire County Council, Hywel Dda Health Board, Community Health Council and a GP and manager from the practice.

Tessa Hodgson (PCC Lamphey) was elected chair and Dennis Evans (Pembroke Town Council) took on the role of secretary.

The purpose of the group will be to encourage and strengthen the relationship between the practice and its patients, while the aim will be to bring about potential improvements to patient experience.

The terms of reference were discussed and the group accepted them, noting that they were an excellent starting point.

As well as providing practical support to patients, where appropriate the PPG will be able to act as a community pressure group to bring local needs to the attention of the health board and the local authority.

The PPG will be a member of the National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP) and it is anticipated that meetings will take place on a quarterly basis.

Help and support has been offered by the Argyle Medical Group and the PPG are grateful for their involvement.

In the near future, the practice will provide patient information notice boards in the three surgeries and there will also be a PPG page on the practice website.

Group members are: Tessa Hodgson - chair, County Councillor (Lamphey); Dennis Evans - secretary, Pembroke Town Council; Rose Blackburn - Pembroke Town Council; Alison Lee - County Councillor, Pembroke Dock Town Council; Carolyn Fortune - Pembroke Dock Town Council; Maureen Molyneux - Mayor, Neyland Town Council; Tony Wales - chair, Community Health Council; Ashley Warlow - chief officer, Community Health Council; Juliet Goldsworthy - practice manager, Argyle Medical Group; Owen Cox - GP, Argyle Medical Group; Richard Bury - GP, Argyle Medical Group; Haley Blyth - Hywel Dda Health Board.