Market Harborough Medical Centre Patient Participation Group

Market Harborough Medical Centre & The Bosworth Partnership Patient Participation Group Minutes of Meeting held on 21st April 2015

Present :

Alec Browne, Mike Cheeseman, Sally Jones, Michael Edwards, Gaynor Sandercock, Christine Saint, Natalie Pollard, Julie Simpson, Annette Rogers, Brian Smith, Dr Crowley

Apologies:

Jennifer, Maria Bukowska, Dan Markovic

1. Welcome and apologies

2. Acceptance of Minutes of Last Meeting

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the last meeting.

3. Matters Arising From Minutes

Julie advised that the PPG Noticeboards within the Medical Centre and The Bosworth Surgery have been adjusted. The Medical Centre now has two PPG boards: the new one forms part of the Friends and Family Display. The Bosworth Surgery’s board is displayed in a more prominent place.

Brian asked if there was any update regarding the Husbands Bosworth new-build surgery plans: Julie advised the first formal consultation period ended with a lot of feedback : 99% in support with no major concerns highlighted. Any concerns raised have been from people living near the proposed site. However they see the overall benefits of the new surgery, the concerns have been regarding parking and buses.

NHS England have advised there needs to be further consultation regarding the transfer of the dispensary. It is hoped to go to planning in July 2015. Julie will advise further at the next joint meeting.

Brian attends Husbands Bosworth Parish Council Meetings and said he would be happy to speak on behalf of the PPG at these meetings.

4. PPG Awareness Week 1 – 6 June 2015 (AB)

There is the opportunity for PPG’s to enter a nationwide week of awareness, to make themselves known and bring current issues to the attention of patients. Alec suggested utilising the week to recruit new PPG members, however is open to other ideas particularly those that are health orientated. The current PPG member photograph needs updating.

Last year extra Meet & Greet Sessions took place and a PPG Awareness Week Board was created advising patients about the PPG and what had been achieved. It had been difficult to get the Harborough Mail involved but HFM (local Radio) had done an article. It was suggested the group could promote virtual PPG membership. Additional members of the group would be valuable and patients of different age groups would balance the PPG membership.

Open days at both surgeries previously organised by David were discussed, they were well attended and considered good networking opportunities for the PPG.

It was suggested a sub group be organised to plan the week. To be discussed further at the next patient only meeting on 19th May and ideas shared with Julie and Natalie who will be happy to assist with any work involved.,

5. Meet & Greet Progress (CS/AR)

Christine, Annette, Ellen and Julie have spent time working on the questions for Meet & Greet Sessions. It had been agreed the emphasis would be on car parking, though there were also questions about the pharmacy, PPG Board and the appointment booking system to raise awareness to patients.

The new Meet & Greet Questionnaire was shared with the group: however it was considered to have been designed more for the Medical Centre than for The Bosworth Surgery so alterations were agreed. It is considered important to differentiate between both surgeries.

Discussion took place regarding the difficulties around the car park.

The PPG acknowledged the problems experienced with parking and also that this is a problem at all of the local hospitals.

Dr Crowley joined the meeting.

Alec raised the subject of the Government looking to extend GP opening hours and becoming more available. Dr Crowley advised that he is in favour of this but more GP’s will be required.

Discussion regarding working patients accessing GP Surgeries and their difficulties taking time off work : the Medical Centre previously opened on Saturday mornings but not all patients attending were work age and this is the case on Monday evenings. The Minor Illness Unit is open to see patients out of hours and if patients telephone the surgery whilst it is closed they are transferred to the out of hours service where they can be assessed and given advice or the service they require.

Alec thanked Christine and Annette for their work on the Meet & Greet Questionnaire and Julie clarified that the feedback obtained is very useful to both surgeries.

Agreed to alternate Meet & Greets on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Amendments will be made to the questionnaire.

6. CQC Future Visit (AB/JS)

An inspection visit from the CQC (Care Quality Commission) is expected imminently, there is no indication of a date yet. They will give two week’s notice and will be inspecting both surgeries. They would like to speak to PPG members and gather their views of the surgeries. 7. PPG Noticeboard and Doctor’s Room Numbers (CS/AB)

At the Medical Centre the doctor’s names and room numbers were displayed, now there are only numbers above the arch-ways/corridors. It was thought patients seem confused where to go when they are called. It is felt it would be better if doctor’s names and numbers were displayed again at eye level.

Julie advised that receptionists will advise and assist any patients who experience difficulty. Previously patients said they did not find the directions useful. The numbers displayed do correspond and are in a circular formation, the doctor’s room number is displayed on the electronic board when patients are called in.

Some PPG members feel that the PPG Notice-board is oblivious where it is sited, there is too much on it and it does not promote the PPG. It needs to be eye-catching and in a more prominent place. Alec feels the minutes should continue to be displayed on the board because patients have a right to see what has been discussed at meetings.

The details of the PPG are also now displayed with the Friends & Family stand within the Medical Centre and The Husbands Bosworth PPG Board has been moved and is in a more prominent position.

8. Medical Centre Developments & Update (JS)

The Bosworth Surgery developments are ongoing and were discussed earlier in the meeting.

The St Lukes Hospital development has been delayed again, unsure of the reason.

Ward 3 at St Lukes is due to re-open on 18th May 2015.

The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) has been promoted on local radio: however, it was announced that it had closed but this was then retracted. During day-time patients can attend MIU for injuries but not illnesses : Out of Hours patients can attend for both illnesses and injuries. Patients should attend their own GP Surgery for minor illnesses during working hours. There are still walk-in centres at Oadby and Corby.

Julie to clarify whether the nurses at MIU can access The Bosworth Surgery medical records.

Mike queried getting details of his immunisations as well as prescribed medication and the relevance of this? Julie explained this is Summary Care Records, the Government initiative to share medical records between GP Surgeries and Hospitals if people need medical treatment. It is of great benefit if people are away from home and need urgent medical attention: ie to university students, for travel immunisations etc. It is not open to all, and people can choose to opt out of it.

It is everyone’s right to request their medical records, there is a fee of £10 for a summary care record.

Friends & Family feedback analysis was handed out: there is a stand in the Medical Centre and details of the scheme are displayed at The Bosworth Surgery. The number of slips being completed is not encouraging however mostly the comments are very good. The scheme is from NHS England and will be ongoing into the future, the results are fed back to NHS England.

It was agreed to promote Friends & Family as part of Meet & Greet Sessions.

The Friends & Family feed-back received is acted upon and details are fed back to relevant parties. The slips can be completed anonymously or names and contact details given.

A consultant has been employed to give receptionists customer care training and this has been very positive.

9. Any Other Business:

Brian participated in The Rotary Club Stroke Awareness Day: they saw 87 people and 4 were advised to follow-up with their GP. This was done with assistance of 2 nurses from St Luke’s and was voluntary and was free.

Julie advised that this week is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Week: there is literature in the waiting room.

Mike raised the subject of Health Exemption Certifictates that are expiring without patients being reminded. This is causing confusion and there is a lack of awareness. Mike has informed the Diabetic Group and has details on his facebook page. Julie will alert Zen (Diabetic Nurse) regarding this.

Alec can’t attend a Patients Committee Meeting at the Racecourse in Leicester, representing PPG’s in the area, he wondered if anyone else would like to go, he has details if so.

Alec would like another Health Day/Festival as previously organised by David where health related groups and charities could get together to promote themselves to patients. It could be linked to the 2015 flu campaign. To discuss further at the next meeting.

Next Meeting: 19th May 2015 patient only at Market Harborough District Hospital 23 June 2015 Joint Meeting at Market Harborough District Hospital.