Dr. M S N Ahmed MB.ChB DRCOG M.Sc Dr M B Ahmed MRCGP, MBBS
Main Surgery Branch Surgery
93 Bradford Road 8/10 Brook Street Fartown Thornton Lodge Huddersfield Huddersfield HD1 6DZ HD1 3JW Phone: 0844 477 8602 Phone: 0844 477 8603
Minutes of PPG Meeting 21 December 2015
Monday 21st December 2015 1.30 -2.35pm
Attendees RA – Assistant manager Patient 1 Patient2 Patient 3
Meeting commenced by RA welcoming and thanking everyone in the meeting. Patient 3 was a little late so we had a general chat before patient 3 was able to attend. RA asked the group whether they wished to remain anonymous for the purposes of the minutes or being named, as the minutes will be placed on the practice website. All representatives asked if for minute purposes they could be labelled at Patient 1 and so on. RA agreed and said that is perfectly acceptable.
RA stated that the aims of this group were to bring the practice and patients closer together in the hope that we can grow as a group and hopefully in the future spread into the communities and help more.
Housekeeping RA informed everyone of the nearest fire exit. RA also informed them that should the fire alarm ring now it would not be a drill and that all of us should make our way out using the nearest fire door which is at the front of the building and meet at the side of the practice next to the car park.
Group name and terms of reference RA informed the representative’s that today is the first meeting of the PPG and suggested we establish a name for the group and also terms of reference.
Patient 1: Asked that if they attend the meetings and spend time out for this they would like the practice and doctors to consider their opinions and ideas and where possible to implement them. “We don’t want to think that as much as we try they are not interested in our feedback”
RA: RA assured all members that the doctors are fully prepared and welcome any changes/ideas that the group have, provided it is feasible and can be achieved within our resources. It was also agreed that all views and opinions are equally important; the group is neither a forum for complaints nor for individuals to discuss personal medical issues. Minutes of the meetings will be displayed in the waiting areas of the practice and there will always be at least one representative from the practice at each meeting. RA stated that for the next meeting the minutes from previous meeting will be circulated at the next meeting.
Frequency of meetings It was agreed by all representatives that the meetings will be held every month and on Mondays at 1.30. If for any reason RA needed to change a meeting she would let them know in advance and the representatives also agreed to do the same.
CQC visit Bradford Road Patient 2 asked if the rumours were true about Bradford Road and is Brook Street closing down.
RA informed the group that the CQC had visited Bradford Road, they had found the fabric of the building to be not up to the required standards. The actions required by the CQC have been completed. Brook Street Surgery is not being closed. RA explained that there were some inaccuracies in the Huddersfield Examiner report.
Home visits Patient 3 said a good idea would be to have the elderly and vulnerable patients visited at home, instead of having to come to the surgery. Patient 1-2 also agreed that instead of them making their way to the practice and struggling can they be seen at home instead.
RA mentioned that home visits are already in place for the disabled and house bound and if a patient feels they are unable to get into the clinic. RA would bring to the doctors attention in the next meeting.
Opening times The representatives all agreed that Brook Street could be open for longer hours. Patient 3 said it would be an idea maybe on a Monday for the practice to be open longer. In and around the community they know people would find it more helpful for the surgery to try and be open longer. Rebecca agreed to speak with practice manager.
Break the cycle. RA explained to the group about the break in cycle audit the practice had completed, focused on requests for emergency appointments and asked the group for their opinions of the way that the emergency appointments were dealt with. Overall they agreed it was a good idea but more information about things like this around the practice would be helpful to let patients know what is happening. RA will take their thoughts to the practice meeting.
Carers champion RA spoke briefly about this and explained that in one meeting we will be meeting the Carers Champion and if the group have any questions regarding this and knows anyone who might welcome some help to feel free and speak with the champion.
Ideas from members RA explained that as it was the first get to know us meeting was there anything they could think of that they believe would really help the practice and their patients.
Patient 1 stated that one barrier between patients and staff is the language barrier. Patients often do not book appointments as they cannot speak the same language as the clinician. RA explained the translation service called Big Word. This is free to all NHS facilities and what we would book a 20 minute appointment and the clinician would call the Big Word during the consultation and an interpreter who speaks the same language as the patient would be available during the consultation.
Patient 1 stated that there was no information regarding this service and the patients are unaware of it. RA agreed that she would give Patient 1 a copy of the poster that we have and Patient 1 offered to translate it so we can then display it in the waiting areas.
Practice Website and Friends and Family RA showed the group the NHS choices and the website for the practice. The group were unaware we had a website and all agreed they will try and go on the NHS choices and make a comment regarding the practice. They all also agreed the website should be promoted which they will help with.
Any other business RA asked if there was anything else that they would like to discuss. Patient 2 asked if there was another number that patients could call as they struggled on the 0844 number. RA said she would speak to Yvonne Armstrong the Practice Manager in this matter and refer back to them at the next meeting.
Close of meeting 2.35pm
RA to do:- Opening times discuss with doctors Home visits – not just for the housebound discuss with doctors Big Word poster to be translated Direct number – discuss with Manager
Representatives to do:- Translate poster into urdu/ punjabi NHS choices website to comment and inform others of the service
Next date of meeting: 1 February 2016 1.30 pm Brook Street Surgery 8-10 Brook Street Thornton Lodge Huddersfield HD1 3JW