Patient Participation Group (Ppg)

ANNANDALE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG) NEWSLETTER, Autumn/Winter 2016.

Your PPG met in June and will meet again at the end of September.

At our last meeting we saw the draft report of the inspection of Annandale Medical Centre carried out by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Three of us from the PPG had a long meeting with an inspector, freely expressing our views about the way the practice operates and the quality of the care patients receive from all the staff at both surgeries. The draft report, since confirmed, rated all aspects of the practice as ‘good’. We are very fortunate to benefit from such good service and the PPG warmly congratulates all the staff that look after us so well. As patients it is so easy to take for granted the high level of care we receive.

After so poor a summer we are not keen to think about the approach of autumn. Last year our area was among the best in the country for uptake of flu vaccines. Annandale patients, eligible for vaccination and aged over 18, will have plenty of opportunity to get vaccinated and avoid an unpleasant and possibly dangerous bout of flu. There will be one drop in session at the Youth Club in Mereheath Lane on September 22 and four appointment only sessions, 2 each at Town Lane and the main surgery. Contact reception for more details and to make your appointment. Patients aged 70 and 78 on September 1 2016 also qualify for a shingles vaccination. It is very well worth the few minutes the vaccinations take to avoid an unpleasant and possibly dangerous bout of flu or painful shingles. health is to keep active. We have really good local ame Another positive action towards good winter nities, Tatton Park being one. There has been a lot going on there this summer and it is a great place to go for a walk, even a short one. There is information in the waiting rooms on Footpaths for Fitness, soon to include trails in Tatton Park that can make walks more interesting. A good way for patients with type 2 diabetes to ‘take steps’! Most of us will get colds and coughs in winter time despite our best efforts to avoid them. The people to go to for help with coping with the discomforts of these are our pharmacists. Their long training and experience make them ideal people to give support, advice and treatment if you need it, for things such as eye infections, migraine, indigestion, cystitis, rashes and so on. You do not need an appointment and can have a free and confidential consultation in a private room. The pharmacist can provide any medication you need or will tell you if you really need to see a doctor. Think Pharmacy! This approach would free up appointments at the surgery and make it easier to see a doctor when you really need one. You would also be helping to reduce health service costs, so that the £50 it costs the NHS for you to see a doctor could be more wisely spent.

We have had a lot of positive feedback about the new telephone system. Most people keep their GP or nurse appointments, or contact the surgery if their circumstances change. If we all did this there would be more appointments available and a shorter wait to see your doctor. Patient Access is a very useful system that lets you book, view, amend, or cancel appointments on line. It is also an easy way to request repeat prescriptions and look at test results. Have a look at the Practice web site for more information.

As always we do need your comments and suggestions. We can only report and ask for action on your views if you tell us what they are. Through their PPG, Annandale patients have a real opportunity to have their views taken into consideration, not only in the Practice but also by the professionals who make the decisions on how the money available for patients in East Cheshire, including Annandale, is spent. Please contact us by using the suggestions box in the waiting room, leaving a message and contact details at reception, or email [email protected]. I will always get back to you.

Jo Rose, Chair Annandale PPG. September 2016