TY - JOUR
AU - E. J. Boam
AU - L. Munford
AU - C. Planner
AU - B. Rushforth
AU - J. Drinkwater
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Patient participation in health systems is increasing globally. English general practices have been required to establish patient participation groups (PPGs) since 2015. However, little is known about current PPG coverage and distribution. AIM: To explore the relationship between PPG coverage and quality with general practice deprivation deciles, geographical location, and Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings. DESIGN AND SETTING: Mixed-methods documentary analysis of quantitative and qualitative data was carried out from general practice CQC reports in Yorkshire and Humber, England. METHOD: Data were extracted from CQC reports for practices in the most and least deprived areas across three integrated care systems (ICSs). Quantitative data examined PPG coverage by practice deprivation decile, location, and CQC rating. Qualitative thematic analysis assessed PPG quality. RESULTS: Of 122 practices, 99 (81.1%) had a PPG, 16 (13.1%) lacked one, and seven (5.7%) had a partial PPG. Practices in the most deprived areas were significantly less likely to have a PPG than those in the least deprived areas (P = 0.006). While there were minor differences in PPG coverage between ICS locations, no significant variation was observed based on CQC ratings. PPG activities included workforce adjustments and training, infrastructure, communications, accessibility and appointments, health promotion and education, and fundraising. CONCLUSION: Practices in the most deprived areas were significantly less likely to have a PPG (P = 0.006), and their PPGs engaged in different activities compared with those in the least deprived areas. This may exacerbate inequalities as PPGs are one mechanism to support patient participation and improve general practice quality and experience.
AD - Health Research and Statistics, Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK emily.boam3@nhs.net.; Public Health Registrar, NHS England Yorkshire and Humber School of Public Health, Yorkshire, UK.; Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.; Foundry Lane Surgery, Seacroft, Leeds, UK.; Future Leaders programme supervisor and locality lead, for GP Recruitment and Careers, NHS England Yorkshire and Humber GP School, UK.
AN - 40953943
BT - Br J Gen Pract
C5 - Healthcare Disparities
CP - 765
DA - Apr 1
DO - 10.3399/bjgp.2025.0088
DP - NLM
ET - 20260326
IS - 765
JF - Br J Gen Pract
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: Patient participation in health systems is increasing globally. English general practices have been required to establish patient participation groups (PPGs) since 2015. However, little is known about current PPG coverage and distribution. AIM: To explore the relationship between PPG coverage and quality with general practice deprivation deciles, geographical location, and Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings. DESIGN AND SETTING: Mixed-methods documentary analysis of quantitative and qualitative data was carried out from general practice CQC reports in Yorkshire and Humber, England. METHOD: Data were extracted from CQC reports for practices in the most and least deprived areas across three integrated care systems (ICSs). Quantitative data examined PPG coverage by practice deprivation decile, location, and CQC rating. Qualitative thematic analysis assessed PPG quality. RESULTS: Of 122 practices, 99 (81.1%) had a PPG, 16 (13.1%) lacked one, and seven (5.7%) had a partial PPG. Practices in the most deprived areas were significantly less likely to have a PPG than those in the least deprived areas (P = 0.006). While there were minor differences in PPG coverage between ICS locations, no significant variation was observed based on CQC ratings. PPG activities included workforce adjustments and training, infrastructure, communications, accessibility and appointments, health promotion and education, and fundraising. CONCLUSION: Practices in the most deprived areas were significantly less likely to have a PPG (P = 0.006), and their PPGs engaged in different activities compared with those in the least deprived areas. This may exacerbate inequalities as PPGs are one mechanism to support patient participation and improve general practice quality and experience.
PY - 2026
SN - 0960-1643 (Print); 0960-1643
SP - e339
EP - e346+
ST - Coverage and quality of patient participation groups: a mixed-methods analysis of Care Quality Commission reports
T1 - Coverage and quality of patient participation groups: a mixed-methods analysis of Care Quality Commission reports
T2 - Br J Gen Pract
TI - Coverage and quality of patient participation groups: a mixed-methods analysis of Care Quality Commission reports
U1 - Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.3399/bjgp.2025.0088
VL - 76
VO - 0960-1643 (Print); 0960-1643
Y1 - 2026
ER -