A Message from Sue Kinsey
A very warm welcome to the
online P3 portal, Make the Connections.
Much of P3’s work has recently
focused on the promotion of Patient Participation Groups (PPGs)
within GP practices throughout Scotland. This work began
at the RCGP National Primary Care Conference in Edinburgh in 2007,
where I conducted a very lively and successful Workshop on patient
groups. On 19 March 2009, an event entitled Make the
Connections event was held. Graham Box – CEO of the National
Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) – gave the Keynote
address. With case study presentations and interactive discussions,
the day ultimately provided fantastic levels of feedback from 60
attendees who travelled from all over Scotland. Patients,
GPs, and practice staff alike all contributed and helped to make
the day a success. There are plans to run smaller scale local
events in the near future, so watch this space!
Rape and Sexual Abuse - GP Guidance Lothian Pilot Scheme
RCGP Scotland’s patient group, P3, has
developed new support guidelines for GPs and patients in
conjunction with Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre
(EWRASAC). A consultation period has been successfully completed
and the guidelines, including business cards and guidance sheets,
have now been launched to pilot practices in Lothian.
Instances of sexual violence occur more
commonly than is realized; and as many as 1 in 4 women are
estimated to experience sexual violence during their lives. Indeed,
the World Health Organisation estimates that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in
9 boys are sexually abused in childhood. Evidence gathered
from Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre suggests that
GPs are often the first point of contact for patient’s who disclose
abuse. The P3 group felt that a comprehensive but simple
resource aimed at General Practice would enhance the referral and
diagnostic process.
Initially being piloted in the Lothian area,
the newly developed packs consist of two separate leaflets for
patients who disclose experiences of sexual violence - one for
survivors of recent rape or sexual abuse and one for survivors of
childhood sexual abuse. The pack also includes an information
sheet specifically for GPs and a discreet “credit card” containing
only the pertinent contact information to offer patients.
The leaflets have been sent to every GP
practice in the Lothian area.
For more information please contact Paul
Alexander, Policy & Committee Co-ordinator at palexander@rcgp-scotland.org.uk
Feedback and presentations from the Make the
Connections event
On a UK scale, our good friends at NAPP
have been working closely with colleagues from the Royal College of
General Practitioners in London to promote the use of PPG in
primary care via their recently launched “Growing Patient
Participation” campaign: http://www.growingppgs.com/.
To keep up to date with P3 activity, patient
focused news and to receive consultations that are relevant to
patients, please join our P3 Virtual Network. If you are looking
for some information on the mechanics of starting or running a
patient group, please have a look at our PG Tips pages.
Please feel free to contact Paul
Alexander with your feedback or patient group
success stories!
Sue Kinsey
Chair of P3.
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