SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE 1

IN CONVERSATION WITH FOCUS PATIENT DR MAROOF ON CARERS SURVEY: ON BALANCING Tell us what QUALITY OF CARE AND PATIENT EXPERIENCE you think WITH EFFICIENCY NEW EXPERTISE

CONNAUGHT SQUARE PRACTICE NEWSLETTER

WELCOME

I’m delighted to have joined Connaught Square Practice as a GP Partner. I qualified from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines in 1999 and took four years of residency training in paediatrics before arriving in the UK. I completed my GPVTS in Boston, Lincolnshire, in 2010. I have a special interest in child health, respiratory disease, and elderly care, and recently developed some interest in acupuncture. I have two children with my wife Maria. I enjoy travelling and am quite adventurous in trying out different cuisines. I enjoy running and a game of badminton. I also enjoy music and singing, In addressing the challenges ahead of us, all of our patients will play a vital role. We feel strongly that our Patient Participation Group should be representative of our 7,500 plus patients, and that the quarterly public meetings that the PPG holds should offer a great way to engage.

Ericson Laudato, GP SEPTEMBER 2015 2

In conversation with Dr Maroof New Publications

Q Dr Maroof, whether you are advising, diagnosing, at the Practice referring, or visiting housebound patients, patients are always happy and satisfied. How do you manage? For me, what is actually more important than diagnosing a complaint or providing relief from Dr Maroof symptoms is getting to know and understand Harghandiwal has different aspects of a patient’s life as well as the been caring for patient’s own attitude to his or her health. patients of the Connaught Square Q How do you manage a 10-minute consultation? Practice since When it comes to the standard 10-minute 2005. consultation, I leave as little as possible to chance. I He has a great interest in start by giving the patient uninterrupted 1-2 minutes cardiology and to share his or her medical concerns, before I ask a regularly holds few open-ended questions aimed to clarify details, The memory INR clinics to inform my clinical judgment and ensure that the handbook review and patient remains actively involved in the care plan, explains briefly how monitor patients the course of treatment or a diagnosis that will memory works, and is using an follow. Listening is a source of great patient content, full of practical anticoagulant, provided that there is a purpose to it. suggestions about such as Warfarin. living with mild A patient says, Q As a GP, how do you balance the unique requirements memory problems. “Dr Maroof is one of an individual patient with fulfilling the expectations of of the best GPs I all the patients whom you are scheduled to see on a have had the particular day? pleasure of seeing. He’s very Every patient has a story, but there is a natural limit understanding and to a 10-minute face-to-face or telephone his advice always consultation. Prioritising well is always crucial, but I works. Please keep am a strong believer that, in a 10-minute him in Connaught consultation especially, it is the little things that I do Square as he is a that make all the difference to the patient experience. favourite of My top tips to all newly qualified GPs? One, be more mine!” patient and take time to listen. Two, remember that medical knowledge must be balanced by good attitude and good communication skills. And finally, a good sense of humour by your side is key! The dementia guide New Appointments is for anyone who has recently been Dr Priti Nayar, who comes to the Connaught Square Practice from diagnosed with Milne House Medical Practice in , has more than 15 dementia, as well as years’ experience of clinical practice. Her areas of special interest their friends, carers are paediatrics and women’s health. and families. Dr Vaibhav Sharma has been appointed as our new GP. A graduate of Imperial College , he is an experienced Staff changes clinical researcher who, while working in University College Hospital Ear Institute, was a fellow of The Royal College of Ms Anam Butt replaces Surgeons of England. Fatima Olivares as our Ms Clare Magona, Practice Business Manager, said, “Priti and new Healthcare Vaibhav are experienced and accomplished GPs. They join us at Assistant. a critical time when there are both huge expectations and huge Ms Abigail Buxo, opportunities before us.” Deputy Practice Also joining us are four receptionists, Ms Valentina Forieri, Ms Manager, has left the Pauline Forrester, Ms Chaima Haddadi, and—after a maternity Practice to pursue an leave—Ms Rita Mugerwa. MBA. We welcome them all to the Practice. SEPTEMBER 2015 3

Patient Engagement and Involvement Your patient representative

At www.connaughtsquarepractice.co.uk you will find all you need to become a member of the Patient Participation Group so you can get involved in decisions aimed at improving the quality of care provided to you. We know how much access to good quality care means to you, so we are encouraging you to join the Patient Participation Group (PPG) whose informal meetings provide opportunities to share experiences and help the Practice develop and deliver services that better meet the needs of our patient community.

Since its inception, the PPG purposefully set out to test a proposition, can a less combative and more collaborative relationship long endure? Through good will to spur each other on also grew out of many conversations, the practice team developed a that experience. learning relationship with several patients, who we We are keen to support this new type of are delighted to say have continued to engage collaborative relationship and, for that purpose, actively with the life of the practice and who have would like to make permanent the role of patient inspired new ways of working well together and a representative. We seek to be a place where those more practical definition of patient leadership. A with experience of, or the desire to learn more shared emphasis on understanding each other’s about, our health and social care system can step perspectives better and finding enough trust and back and reflect.

If you would like to send us a nomination for the role of patient representative, find out more or just express your interest, please email [email protected]

Do you look after someone We’ve got a few reasons for you to join us online who could not manage without you? You’ll enjoy the Caring can bring its own rewards but we recognise that following features: sometimes you might find it stressful and physically • Book appointments demanding. The Connaught Square Practice is dedicated to offering carers as • Order repeat much help and support as needed, in order for carers to lead a prescriptions healthy and fulfilling life and to flourish as carers. The Practice • Update contact works in partnership with City Council, the voluntary sector and carers’ organisation to achieve this end. details Once registered as a Carer, we can offer you, if required: • View your medical • Flexible Appointments record • Flu Vaccination, Health Check and Health Screenings • Information and Support If you wish to be • Referral to complimentary services registered for online • a free Carer’s Information pack service, please speak to Please speak to our Reception team or inform your GP or nurse. our Reception team. SEPTEMBER 2015 4

patient survey

Dear Patient,

Our patients are integral to the success of the Connaught Square Practice. You are who we care for and it is important that we keep up with your changing habits and expectations. We’d also like to ask you about yourself and the value of the Connaught Square Practice to you. Please ask a member of the Practice team for a patient survey. It will only take a few minutes to complete and will really help us make sure we meet your needs. Please be assured that the information we collect from the patient survey will only be used by the Practice. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Property of Dr Seuss Enterprises, LP. 1950, 1977. All rights reserved.

Many thanks, TO BOOK A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT WITH NURSE MARIA, The Practice PLEASE CALL RECEPTION ON 0207 402 4026.

Talk to us about any travel vaccines you and your family may need, if you are planning to travel outside the UK.

Subscribe In print and online E: [email protected] Te: 0207 402 4026

Published by: The Connaught Square Practice