DR S J WITTS MBBS, MRCGP, DTM+H, Dip Occ Med

DR S J WITTS MBBS, MRCGP, DTM+H, Dip Occ Med SHEERNESS HEALTH CENTRE 250-262 HIGH STREET SHEERNESS KENT ME12 1UP

TELEPHONE: 01795 585255 FAX: 01795 585842 EMAIL: [email protected]

MINUTES OF PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP MEETING Wednesday 15 th May, 2013

IN ATTENDANCE IN ATTENDANCE from the Practice: Patient Participation Group: Dr S Witts PF Dr S Kannapiran MB Lesley Cockell (Practice Manager) KS Dawn Birtchnall (Receptionist) ES

Welcome LC apologised that PF had received no minutes. LC informed group that Dr Kannapiran had started as our new salaried GP, she said he was settling in well and was well liked by the patients who had seen him so far.

Dr W informed long-term plans re staffing and explained the rota system with possibility of extra day or another GP. NHS 111 Brief discussion re the groups experience of using 111. Minutes last Meeting reviewed The Minutes from the Meeting of 21st January were reviewed. LC handed out the Constitution for our practice group to members, the constitution being what was agreed at our previous meeting but put into more formal terms.

The Constitute is available to view on the website.

Dr K arrived a little late and was introduced to the PPG. He said that we have a good team, all agreed with a period of stability things will only get better. Changes within the NHS LC explained the changes that had taken place within the NHS since 1st April 2013 and how healthcare and who is responsible had been split between Swale Clinical Commissioning Group, Kent County Council and NHS England. LC explained it had been a huge change for the Practice to deal with and that it will take time for things to settle down.

Dr W explained the commissioningof e.g. mental health and the providers and what have changed, District Nursing, Counselling, and where referrals can now be sent e.g. Faversham for counselling.

ES voiced his concerns that it would not be possible to have the same choice now when being referred, but Dr W reassured him that the choices would remain the same.

LC gave out website addresses for Swale CCG and South-East NHS for patients to look. Swale CCG aimed to have self help leaflets and information on self help groups. ES asked if it was working now and voiced his concerns about lack of services. Practice Newsletter MB offered to take over the running of the Newsletter in conjunction with the Practice. All present agreed this was a good idea and the Practice are grateful for this input from the PPG. The group briefly discussed what the contents of the newsletter could be. LC said that anything clinical would have to be passed by Dr W for his approval first. Next Survey LC gave out samples of surveys and asked the group what they would like to go on the next survey. MB said we need to ask questions that we would like answers to. Dr W said there will be a questionnaire sent out by post targeted at a certain amount of patients which is commissioned by the government so would like to see use doing something different. MB said he thought the survey needs to be more specific and have less questions.

It was agreed that before publishing a survey we would canvas the opinion of the PPG members on the survey contents. AOB A suggestion notice board was suggested, but LC explained the conditions of lease were any notice board had to be covered for health and safety reasons, but would be happy with a suggestion box. Decided it should not be on Reception desk as this may be intimidating for patients, however would need to make clear the suggestion box was for our patients as we cannot dictate anything to the other surgery who we share the space with. Next Meeting LC thanked everyone for coming. A new date for the next meeting was arranged for Wednesday 18th September, 2013.