Patient Participation Group Constitution

As amended: correct at 21 May 2010

1. Title

The Group shall be called the Lime Tree Surgery Patients’ Group.

2.Objectives

To be the Patients’ Voice in supporting and shaping the work and services of the Lime Tree Surgery, specifically:

• to receive donations and bequests for the provision and maintenance of medical and/or ancillary equipment not normally available from statutory or Practice funds;
• to provide the patient perspective in the planning and commissioning of practice-based services
• to liaise with other patient support groups locally and nationally in the interests of patient engagement;
• to liaise with West Sussex PCT and the National Association for Patient Participation or other appropriate bodies in the interests of patient engagement.
• to raise awareness of health related issues in the local community and to encourage participation

The Beneficiaries are those people living permanently or temporarily in the Surgery’s catchment area.

3.Membership

All patients of the Lime Tree Surgery. There is no membership subscription and no formal list of members.

4.Management

1. The Group shall be managed by a committee comprising up to ten members.
2. The Annual General Meeting will be required to elect the officers, ie. Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, together with five other officers.
3. The committee shall have the power to co-opt other members from time to time as seen fit.
4. Any staff of the Lime Tree Surgery are encouraged to attend meetings of the committee, by their own prior request or by invitation.
5. An auditor who shall not be a member of the committee shall be appointed by the committee.
6. There will be no circumstances where any member of the Patient Group will have any access to patient medical
records.

5.Meetings

1. There will each year be an Annual General Meeting, the date of which shall be at the discretion of the committee.
2. Notice of the Annual General Meeting given by a notice posted in the patients’ waiting areas of the Lime Tree Surgery at least 14 days previously.
3. Other general meetings may be similarly called by the committee or by written request of not less than 10 members of the Group to the secretary of the committee.
4. Each and every patient of the Surgery is welcome to attend general meetings without prior personal invitation or acceptance.
5. Committee members shall normally have seven days clear notice of committee meetings.
6. At all meetings the chairman of the meeting shall have a vote. In addition the chairman shall have a casting vote in the event of a tied vote.
7. At committee meetings a quorum shall consist of four members.
8. Minutes of general and committee meetings will be posted on the surgery noticeboard and the Patient Group’s section on the surgery’s website www.limetreesurgery.com

6.Change of Constitution

Alterations to this Constitution shall receive the assent of two thirds of the members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. Any resolution for the alteration of the Constitution must be received by the secretary of the Group, at least 21 days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward. At least 14 days notice of such a meeting must be given by the secretary to the membership and must include notice of the alteration proposed. Provided that no alteration be made to the Objects, the dissolution clause or this clause and no alteration shall be made which would have the effect of causing the Group to cease to be a charity in law.

7. Finance

1. The Financial Year of the Group shall start on 1 January.
2. The funds shall be kept in a bank or building society account in the name of the Lime Tree Surgery Patients’ Group.
3. An independently audited Financial Statement shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting for adoption.
4. The fund shall be administered by the treasurer.
5. Signatures on cheques shall be two of three members nominated by the committee, but one signatory shall be either the chairman or secretary.

8.Dissolution

The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose, of which 21 days notice shall have been given. Such resolution may give instructions for the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of the Group, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities such property shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Group but shall be given or transferred to the Lime Tree Surgery for the benefit of the patients and if and in so far as effect cannot be given to this provision then to such other charitable purpose, as allowed within Charity Commission rules and as directed by the trustees.
______________________________________________

Notes

1) Lime Tree Surgery Patients’ Group is a Registered Charity (Reg. No. 1053830, and notwithstanding the above constitution is bound by the requirements of HM Charities Commissioners and other legislation from time to time.

2) The elected officers are:
Chair - Lance Allen
Secretary - Carol Farrow
Treasurer - Sheena Drake