Patients Participation Group [PPG]

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a vital part of our GP practice. It consists of a group of patients who work together with the practice to:

• Improve communication between the practice and its patients.
• Provide feedback and suggestions on how the practice can improve services.
• Help shape the future of the practice by sharing patient perspectives.
• Organise health promotion events and support the practice in its efforts to improve patient care.

The PPG is open to all registered patients, and we strongly encourage you to join. By becoming a member, you can:

• Make a difference in the quality of care and services we provide.
• Voice your opinions and concerns directly to the practice staff.
• Participate in meaningful discussions about practice policies and procedures.
• Engage in initiatives that benefit the entire patient community.

Find out how to join below.

Kam Mistry – Honorary Treasurer

Kam comes from a retail background and currently works as a Service Desk Analyst in the IT department. He also serves as a school governor at a large local secondary school. Kam joined the PPG to represent patients’ views and ensure that the services provided by our doctors and nurses meet the needs of our registered patients. He values patient feedback, whether positive or negative, to help drive continuous improvement.

Gordon Squires

I was born in Leicester and have lived here all my life. I am a chartered accountant, am married with 2 children and 5 grandchildren, live locally and have been a patient of the surgery for over 40 years.  I joined the Patient Participation Group 3 years ago with a view to help improve healthcare services for the patients of the Downing Drive Surgery.

Jeanette Robertson

With over 30 years of experience on various health committees, Jeanette is a valuable member of Leicester LINKs and other health-related forums. Her career began as a teacher, after which she ran three small businesses and later managed Volunteer Bureaus and Councils of Voluntary Services. Jeanette has lived in Evington for the past 59 years and was instrumental in setting up the PPG at our surgery.

Pam Goodman

Pam was born and raised in the Northeast near Newcastle upon Tyne. She moved to Leicestershire in 1968 when she married Steve. Pam initially worked in Marine Survey at the Board of Trade before transferring to a BoT office in Leicester. She later joined British Enkalon in their sales department, which she found more interesting.

After leaving work in 1970 to raise her three children, Pam returned to work in 1985 with Leicester City Libraries. She enjoyed interacting with the public and remained with the library service until her retirement in 2017.

Pam has been involved in setting up and developing the tennis club in Houghton on the Hill, serving on the committee for over six years. She also served on parents’ committees at her children’s schools and, together with Steve, volunteered for an ONS/Oxford University infection survey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steve Goodman – Current Chair

Steve was born and raised in Leicestershire. He spent the first 20 years of his career as a manager and director in various businesses, gaining experience in operations, purchasing, sales, finance, and customer service. In 1987, he founded a management consultancy business to pursue the variety he enjoyed. He later discovered business coaching and focused on that until his retirement in 2020.

Steve has a particular expertise in customer service and its role in driving organizational excellence. In 2010, he earned a Diploma in Customer Service Management from Leicester University.

Outside of work, Steve has coached Mini and Junior Rugby and served as Chair of the Houghton Field Association, assisting in developing the Houghton Neighbourhood Plan. During the pandemic, he became an NHS responder and, with Pam, participated in the ONS/Oxford University infection survey. Steve is also an active member and the Honorary Treasurer of Houghton Tennis Club.

Jay Purohit

Jay lives in Leicester and brings decades of experience from a career in engineering, technology and IT architecture. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Engineering from Loughborough University and, more recently, an MSc (Dist) in AI Systems from De Montfort University.

Over the course of his career, Jay has worked across a wide range of organisations — from large established companies to smaller specialist firms — progressing from junior systems engineer, software developer through to senior IT architect roles. He currently works as a Technical Architect at an online digital Bank, where his responsibilities span enterprise architecture, cloud solutions, and software development, with a growing focus on AI technologies.

Jay joined the PPG to help improve the quality and efficiency of care provided by Downing Drive Surgery. He is keen to offer constructive feedback from a patient’s perspective, help simplify policies and procedures for the benefit of both patients and staff, and share insights on how technology — including AI — could be harnessed responsibly to enhance patient services and outcomes.

Hemendra Ghelani – Current Vice Chair

Hemendra and his family have been patients at Downing Drive Surgery for 35 years.

He worked for NHS for over 15 years, initially in the Medicines Management Team and later for the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in the Medicines Optimisation Team. Before joining NHS he worked for a community pharmacy, dealing mainly with supply of medicines to care homes. He retired in January 2025.

He was a founding member, a Trustee and Chair of Management committee of a charity called Heartsearch, set up with a primary objective of raising awareness of heart disease and to address its high prevalence in the community.

He was a member of a steering group called ABLE, a national campaign initiated and run by National Kidney Research Fund to address issue of Kidney disease in the community and raise its profile.

Hemendra has been a Member of Court at University of Leicester for seven years.

David Tyers

I am a member of the Patient Participation Group, committed to helping improve healthcare services for our community. I bring a patient’s perspective to discussions, aiming to ensure that services are accessible, effective, and responsive to people’s needs. I am particularly interested in clear communication, patient experience, and supporting positive change within the practice.

Outside of the group, I am an avid Rugby Union fan, supporting Leicester Tigers and run my own business as a “maker of things”, enjoying the interaction with customers and creating bespoke commissions.

Ann Mason

I have been a patient at Downing Drive practice longer than I care to remember. Over the years I have been involved on many charity committees : LOROS, Cancer research, Rainbows (20 years) and school PTA’s.

Many years ago when Dr Bentley was Senior Partner, I served on the PPG which I thoroughly enjoyed. Opportunity came alone for me to train as a bereavement counsellor with CRUSE bereavement, so I left the PPG at that time.

I now run Lily House bereavement group at St Denys Church, Evington. I would like to thank the doctors for referring patients to Lily House.

I am very active, playing golf, table tennis and badminton. I enjoy walking and meeting up with friends. I am also a member of a choir. I am a team player and enjoy working on committees, I have rejoined the PPG as I enjoy working with the team to help the staff and patients of Downing Drive Surgery.

Dr Douglas Beoku-Betts

I am a respected businessman, community leader and public advocate with many years experience supporting community development, business enterprise and public engagement in the UK.

I previously served as Chair of the Leicester African Caribbean Business Association and have held leadership and advisory roles with organisations including Business Link Leicester and Mainstream Partnership. Through these positions, I have supported local businesses, encouraged economic development and strengthened community partnerships.

I have been recognised as one of Leicesters most influential individuals for many years and am also a Freeman of the City of London in recognition of contribution to business and community service.

I am actively involved in promoting health awareness, social inclusion, education and wellbeing initiatives within local communities. Through my involvement with the PPG I support projects that encourage healthier lifestyles, community engagement and improved access to healthcare information and services.

To join the PPG, simply email downingdrivesurgeryppg@gmail.com to express your interest, and a PPG member will respond to you. We welcome all patients who are passionate about enhancing the quality of care and services we offer.

Alternatively complete the online form.

The Downing Drive Surgery PPG hosts a friendly coffee morning every Monday from 10am to 11:30am (except on Bank Holidays) at the Church of God, conveniently located next door to the surgery on Downing Drive.

Enjoy tea, coffee, and biscuits for a small cost while you chat and make new friends. It’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow patients and members of the community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) publishes an annual newsletter that includes valuable information about our services and updates about our staff. We aim to release these newsletters each Autumn.

In the past, we have distributed the newsletter via post. Moving forward, we plan to send it out electronically to make it more accessible. If you prefer a printed version of the PPG newsletter, please contact the surgery, and we will be happy to provide one. Printed copies will also be available in the reception area at the time of release, subject to availability.

To view previous newsletters, please click the links below:

PPG Newsletter Summer 2023

PPG Newsletter November 2022

Every year, our Patient Participation Group (PPG) holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on behalf of the practice for its patients. It is a great opportunity to discuss the latest practice news and updates, and to get involved with the PPG by talking to one of its members. We encourage all interested patients to attend and participate in shaping the future of our practice.

This year, the AGM will be held on Monday 8^th December 7-8pm @ Downing Drive Surgery

We look forward to seeing you there!