People from across Waveney and Great Yarmouth are being encouraged to join their GP surgery's patient participation group (PPG) so they can help shape their local NHS and further improve services.

The call comes as the National Association for Patient Participation's awareness week began on Monday (June 1) and this year carries the theme 'quality in general practice'.

Anyone with an interest in health and social care is welcome to join one of the groups, which are designed to make sure patients are fully involved in any decisions which are taken about healthcare services.

Anyone who sits on a group in Yarmouth and Waveney can also join HealthEast's wider joint PPG forum. Made up of members from all of the area's PPGs, it meets every two months to share knowledge and best practice, debate topics and find practical solutions to any issues which may arise.

The forum's chairman, Graham Dunhill, also has a seat on HealthEast's governing body. He said: 'PPGs play an important role by helping GP practices to adapt their services to meet the needs of their patients while also feeding into HealthEast. This gives patients a real opportunity to make sure their voices are heard at the highest level in our local NHS.

'The work is incredibly varied and interesting, and includes everything from carrying out patient surveys to looking at ways to improve services and organising awareness events.

'I would encourage anyone with an interest in healthcare and who wishes to help influence and further improve services in the future to consider joining their local patient participation group.'

Anyone interested in joining their local PPG should contact their GP surgery to check they have a group and find out more details.