Minutes of Old Road West/Mckenzie Way Patient Participation Group Held on September 24Th 2013

Minutes of Old Road West/Mackenzie Way Patient Participation Group Meeting held on September 24 th 2013

Present

Jim Hancock -Chair (JH) Marilyn Berry – Secretary (MB) Colin Ball (CB) Christine Ball (ChB) Judith Hathrill (JHa) Janet Murray (JM) Horace Sutherland (HS) David Gingell – proposed new member (DG) Karen Hoadley – Practice Manager (KH) Dr Giles – GP (DrG)

Apologies for Absence

Sue Preston Gaynor Farron Julian Allerhead (new member)

Election of Officers

The positions of elected Chair and Secretary are for 1 year only. JH and MB were due to retire but had agreed to continue in the posts if required. There were no other nominations. The Chair of the meeting was therefore given to Karen Hoadley for the election of the 2 posts. Chair: CB nominated JH, seconded by JHa and was duly elected. Secretary: JH nominated MB, seconded by HS and was duly elected.

JH resumed the Chair of the meeting.

Minutes of previous meeting

There were no amendments and the minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

Patient Survey

DrG told the group that the GPs and staff had found the 2012 survey carried out by the PPG very useful and there had been good feedback. There was a general discussion about the benefits of a face to face survey, emailing patients and questionnaires. KH said we first needed to decide what the focus of the 2013 survey should be. JH commented that following the success of our 2012 PPG survey, other PPGs had picked up on the idea. The group confirmed that they were willing to carry out a face to face survey if that is what the GPs would like the group to do. It was agreed that KH and DrG would report back to the Partners for them to decide how they wanted the 2013 survey to be carried out and the focus of the survey. Action JH & DrG.

Work Plan 2013/14 - PPG Objectives

The PPG Objectives were reviewed and it was agreed that they still reflect the role of the PPG. It was agreed to alter General Rule 5 from a maximum of 12 PPG members to 15. The general Rules and Objectives will be reviewed again at the first meeting following the 2014 AGM.

Work Plan : The Group discussed holding Health Promotion sessions. However, it was felt that it would be more beneficial to link up with other PPGs in the CCG for such events. JH will bring this up at the Chair’s meeting. Action JH.

KH informed the Group that the Practice is introducing an On Line booking system and On Line prescription request system. It will start with just the booking system. Patients will have to register to be able to access this. This will involve filling in a request form and then they will be given a unique password which will enable them to log on and book appointments with a GP but not with the nurses. KH said the Practice would value assistance at the flu clinic on October 12 th to inform patients of the new system and get them to fill out the forms. Several PPG members said they were willing to help. MB will email members with the information and let KH know what cover the PPG can give. Action MB/all PPG members.

News from the Chair

The Dartford & Gravesham CCG has linked up with Swale CCG to review service provision, in particular Community Health, Mental Health, Gynaecology, Children’s Health, Diabetes and Podiatry. The CCG have also developed an Equality and Diversity Objectives Strategy.

Rosemary Bolton, the Lay member for the CCG wants to attend each PPG over the next 12 months. A date is to be arranged for her to attend one of our meetings.

The 111 service has been revamped and now goes direct to the ambulance service.

The proposed merger between Darent Valley Hospital and Medway Maritime Hospital has now been permanently cancelled.

The Dept. Of Health are funding an initiative entitled “Engage for Change”. This is currently a pilot scheme aimed at assisting the provision of Health Promotion. Ten people from both Kent and Lancashire have been approached to take part in the project. JH is one of the ten from Kent.

The NW Kent Council for Voluntary Services are holding their AGM on Friday October 4th 2013 from 10.45am – 12.15pm at St Botolphs Church Hall, The Hill, Northfleet, DA11 9EU. This will incorporate “A Voluntary and Community Sector Positive Communities Event”. The CCG will give a presentation from 9.30am to 10.45am and Health Watch Kent will speak from 12.45. to 2pm. Lunch will be provided and there will be various stands.

The last meeting of the Chair’s committee was held in July and no further dates have yet been arranged but are in the process of being finalised.

News from the Practice

The Practice has a new, male partner joining the Practice from the week commencing 11 th November 2013 - Dr Sandeep Kampani. Dr O’Connor finishes at the end of November but will act as a locum when required. Dr Millar is reducing to 2 days a week. A new branch rota is therefore being organised. Dr Dhillon is due back from maternity leave in early 2014.

There is a new shingles vaccine available which initially is only being offered to people aged 70 or 79 as at September 1st 2013. Letters are being sent to those eligible. NB Supply is currently limited therefore letters are being delayed until such times as we are able to order more vaccine.

Any other business

There was some discussion about promoting the PPG. ChB said people did not read the PPG notice boards and suggested that we should make them more visible e.g. more colourful.

Dates for 2013/14 meetings

Dates were set for the next 3 meetings and it was agreed to set the further meetings at the January meeting. Dates set are as follows:

29.10.2013 7pm 17.12.2013 7pm 28.1.2014 7pm

Date and time of next meeting

September 29th 2013 at 7pm at Old Road West Surgery.