We use cookies to make this site work. We'd also like to set optional cookies so we can understand how the site is used and improve it. We will not set optional cookies unless you accept them. You can change your choice at any time from the Cookie settings link in the footer.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the site to work. They store your cookie preferences and keep your session secure. They are exempt from consent under PECR Regulation 6(4) because they are essential to deliver the service you have requested.
Optional cookies
Optional cookies help us understand how the site is used and provide additional features such as analytics, accessibility tools and translation. We will only set them if you accept.
Patient Participation Group
We have an active Patient Participation Group (PPG) representing the patients of the Manor Surgery and Kennington Health Centre. The group meets regularly to discuss the services offered by the Practice.
Any patient registered with the surgery can join the group, and we welcome new members at any time. We work proactively to try to ensure the group is representative of the patient body as a whole.
This group has a number of aims, including the following:
- Liaise with the practice staff to review and improve services that the practice offers
- Patient representatives liaising informally with other patients to find out their views, their concerns, and any suggestions they may have
- Meeting with representatives from other Health Centres and Patient Participation Groups
- Developing community links and supports
Sign up to our Patient Group
To join the PPG please complete our secure online form
Our Next PPG Meeting
- Understanding Diabetes: A Primary Care Approach: Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 5.30pm at Kennington Health Centre
At our next PPG meeting, our GP Diabetes Leads, Dr Kathryn Brown and Suzanne Levick Jones, will be joining us for a one-hour session on diabetes in Primary Care.
The session will provide an overview of diabetes, including the different types, risk factors and some of the steps that can help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. We’ll also look at how diabetes is managed at Manor, including how we monitor and recall patients, the checks and reviews we offer, and how we support patients living with diabetes.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the care and support available through the Practice.
PPG Records
Latest PPG Meeting Minutes
March 2026
- Attendees: John Ashton (Chair), Pauline Allen, Peter Coggins, Jean Douglas, Pat Durrant, Cathy Eaton, Dave Gingold, Anne Harrap, Ursula Kneisel, Viv Miles, Jean Mulligan, Emily Shipway (Practice Manager), Margaret Simpson, Lynda Southern, Marie Vickers
- Apologies: None
1. Welcome & Review of Previous Minutes
No questions regarding the previous meeting minutes and no matters arising.
2. Practice Update (Emily Shipway)
Emily shared a presentation outlining an overview of patient and staff numbers, the volume of requests handled each week (telephone calls, on-line requests and appointments), feedback from the Friends and Family survey, and some of the key changes to the GP contract for 2026/27.
- In the last year there have been more than 4,000 new patients.
- There is a new automated process for registration
- The Practice plans to further grow the patient list at the Kennington site
- The Practice has the lowest patient to GP ration in the city.
- Dr Kath Hughes will retire at the end of April 2026
- The Friends and Family feedback is a contractual requirement; the feedback scored 97% as good or very good and all patient comments are reviewed.
- The ‘Did-not-attend’ (DNA) policy is being enforced due to the high volume of appointments not attended. For repeat offenders this may result in patients being removed from the register at The Manor Group. Consideration is given to any mitigating circumstances and safeguarding issues. The number of DNA’s in February is 333.
- Shared prescribing for patients diagnosed privately with ADHD has been approved and medications can now be requested from the surgery. This is available for patients whose condition is stable and subject to continued reviews with their private practitioner/specialist.
- The First Contact Physiotherapist’s objective is to confirm that physiotherapy is a suitable treatment and make the necessary referral for the patient.
- Research Programmes
- The Practice has been awarded a NIHR grant to help with the ongoing research programme.
- 2026/27 GP Contract changes – no significant concerns
- More focus to be placed on prevention and long-term healthcare
- Access and same day care to be in place by April 2026 for urgent requests.
- Target response to on-line triage requests to be set to 2 days.
- Neighbourhood Working and the changes it may present are as yet unknown.
3. Report from Executive meetings – John Ashton
John outlined the recent areas of focus for the Executive team.
- Attracting more people to the PPG meetings
- Following progress of the planned ICB merger- Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire with Frimley
- Planning a Health Promotion Day at Kennington
- Supporting patients in using the NHS application at both Headington and Kennington sites.
- Attending the Wood Farm Health event alongside Practice staff in November 2025
- The PPG logo has been selected
4. Treating heart failure in old age – Dr Julian Treadwell
Dr Treadwell delivered an informative talk to the group on the topic of ‘Treating Heart Failure in older age: a modern medical dilemma’.
Dr Treadwell has many years’ experience in this area and a keen interest in research. He spoke about the positive advances over that last 30 years in medication available to treat the condition, and how different types of drugs, sometimes used to treat other conditions, have proven to be effective.
Patients diagnosed with heart failure are generally prescribed multiple drugs, yet there may be side effects meaning that it can take some time to determine the appropriate drugs/dosage at an individual level.
The current guidelines are that everyone should be prescribed the full range of drugs, however there are differing views with cardiologists recommending a cautious approach for older people, especially those with long-term conditions and frailty.
Dr Treadwell’s thought-provoking presentation explored some key questions:
- What is the correct approach for older/vulnerable patients?
- Can doctors ask patients for their preferences?
- Is it ethical to perform a trial for older people?
The session was very interactive, with PPG members having the opportunity to ask questions from a personal perspective and also to provide personal feedback with regards to the questions raised.
Some PPG members stated that they would be happy to participate in future research programmes.
Dr Treadwell has also been instrumental in the development of the ‘GP Evidence’ website which provides GP’s with accessible information on the benefits and harms of treatments for long-term conditions.
5. Older Peoples’ Day 2027
Older Peoples’ Day 2027 will be on October 7th, 2026, at Oxford Town Hall. Everyone is welcome.
6. AOB
none
7. Future Meetings
The next PPG meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 15th, 2026, 5.30pm at Kennington. (Note: this is different to the date discussed at our meeting).
Our Constitution
1. Name
The name of the group shall be the Manor Group Patient Participation Group (PPG).
2. Purpose
The Manor Group PPG will work with the Practice to enhance the experience of patients and carers. It will also promote patients’ understanding of the services provided by the Practice and other healthcare providers within the local area.
3. Aims
To strengthen the relationship between the Practice and its Patients and to assist the Practice in continuing to improve its provision of healthcare whilst ensuring that patients are at the heart of decision-making.
Activities of the PPG
The PPG will:
- Be kept informed of and consulted on service development and provision within the Practice and provide feedback on behalf of patients
- Be committed to the principles contained in the Equality Act and strive to effectively represent a diverse patient group
- Provide a patient voice promoting a patient-led culture
- Provide the Practice with feedback to improve service delivery
- Play an active role in developing, producing and maintaining communication about the Practice and the PPG through the practice newsletter, display material in surgeries, social media and the website
- Work with the Practice to help it address the challenge of change
- Review patient-targeted material
- Facilitate communication and understanding of the pressures facing the Practice.
- Agree annual objectives which will be reviewed at the AGM.
The PPG is not a forum for individual complaints which should be channelled through the Practice Complaints Procedure.
The Group shall be non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion and shall be formed using the best principles of equality and diversity. The Group and the practice will make every effort to ensure that the constituent elements of the Group are representative of the practice patient demographic, with a range of patient interests represented.
The Group shall have power to affiliate to the National Association of Patient Participation Groups and to other organisations with similar objectives.
4. Membership
This shall be open to any current patient of the Practice. Any patient may nominate themselves for election to the Executive Committee at the Annual General Meeting. Removal of a patient from the practice list, for whatever reason, will disqualify continuing membership of the group.
5. Officers
The Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary will be appointed by members at the AGM and reappointed on an annual basis and should ideally include representatives from each of the practice sites. Appointments will be for an initial term of three years and can be extended with agreement at the AGM.
6. The Executive Committee
The Annual General Meeting shall elect members of the Executive Committee who must be patients of the Practice. Any patient can nominate themselves, but they must be members of the PPG.
The Executive will consist of the Chair and Vice Chair of the PPG and four additional members, ensuring an equal split of representation from each of the practice sites. PPG members wishing to join the Executive Committee should contact the Chair to discuss their interest. Any change in the Executive Committee membership will be ratified by the PPG.
7. Meetings
A full PPG meeting will be held quarterly attended by the Practice Manager and where appropriate a GP.
The Executive Committee will meet monthly to take forward PPG business.
An Annual General Meeting shall be held annually at which any patient of the Practice shall be entitled to attend. The date of this meeting shall be advertised in the Practice not less than 28 days prior to the meeting. The meeting shall be for the purpose of receiving the annual report from the Executive Committee and PPG; of appointing PPG Officers and Executive Committee members; of making recommendations to the PPG and when necessary voting on proposals to amend this constitution.
Any patient wishing for an item to be considered at the AGM shall notify the Chair or Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the meeting. The venue will be dependent on the number of potential attendees.