Patient Newsletter September 2025

The Patients Participation Group

A PPG is formed by patients in the same practice coming together, working in partnership with the practice to:

• Offer a patient's perspective on how services can be improved/designed;
• Build good working relationships with the practice for the benefit of all patients;
• Improve communication between the practice and its patients and to ensure patients have the right information;
• Support patients to stay well.

The HHGP PPG meets every month and would love to hear your views on how the practice could be made better for patients. If you would like to participate please contact the surgery.

I joined Herne Hill Practice Patient Participation Group a few months before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Being a member was a valuable experience, with such critical healthcare issues coming up. It’s easy to behave as if threats like Covid have come and gone, but there are many that undermine our quality of life and that of family and neighbours. We rightly expect these concerns to be taken seriously by the professionals working for us. 

As a member of the PPG, you can get a much better idea of how the Practice works – and you can help make it work better. We all know how hard-pressed the NHS is at the moment, and it’s frustrating to be kept waiting for attention you need. The PPG  at Herne Hill Practice has been involved in helping make contact with the surgery – by phone, online and in person – more user-friendly, and we keep a close eye on this. From the Practice angle, we see how missed appointments waste clinicians’ time, already in short supply, and help think how to raise key concerns. 

The Steering Group of the PPG meets regularly with Practice managers and clinical staff to discuss the range of ways in which health problems are treated and – just as important – how future health problems can be prevented by early intervention. The PPG has organised well-attended open meetings at which specialist clinicians have spoken about health concerns such as hearing impairment and obesity, outlining the options available for those affected. Doctors and other specialists from the Herne Hill Group Practice have been able to answer questions and concerns raised by those who rely on its services.

Taking a turn on the Steering Group benefitted me and my family personally. We felt more in the know and more in control of how are health concerns were being dealt with, both at the local level with the GP Practice and with agencies we were referred to, such as various teams at King’s and Guy’s. There was also the satisfaction of supporting healthcare professionals genuinely trying to do a good job for all of us in their locality.

Is this something you’d be willing to try?

Flu Vaccination 2025-26

Key Dates 11 September: Children (2–11) & pregnant women

21 October: Adults 65+, at-risk adults & carers

Who’s Eligible?

1. Children aged 2–11
2. Pregnant women
3. Adults 65+
4. Adults & children with long-term conditions
5. Carers & care home residents
6. Close contacts of immunocompromised people
7. Frontline health & social care staff

What’s New?

1. All vaccines are now trivalent (2 flu A + 1 flu B strain)
2. Adjuvanted vaccine (aIIV) offered from age 50+
3. Pharmacies can vaccinate 2 & 3-year-olds

Why It Matters

Flu can be serious. Vaccination protects you, your family, and the wider community.

How to Book

We’ll invite eligible patients. Please attend promptly.

• Walkin clinics for 18-64yrs and 65yrs plus. 04/10/25 & Sat 11/10/25, 9am to 1pm
• Booked clinic Sat 18/10, 9am to 1pm

From time to time we may wish to contract you by email or phone. Please speak to our reception team to ensure we have up-to-date details for you.

Published: Sep 16, 2025