Minutes of Danebridge PPG Meeting

Date: 18 June 2015 Time: 5 – 6.30pm Venue: Kingsmead Surgery Meeting Room

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Attendance

Present: Sue McKenzie, Monica Foster, Les Moore, Joe Sullivan, Beth Hanson and Lee Brown.

Apologies: Philip Greasby, Gwenno Shalders, Les James and Colin Stayley.

Absent: Sandra Tipper,

Page 1 of 5 1. Introduction,

Sue welcomed people to the meeting. She reminded members of the need to send their apologies if unable to attend..

2. Approval of Minutes and Action Log

The minutes were approved. Sue went through the Action Log to check progress.

3. NAPP Update

Monica had attended the NAPP Conference in Leamington Spa on 7 June. She praised the conference venue. Around 115 people had participated. She was the only attendee from Cheshire. Monica felt that there had been a huge amount of information to take in and no time to reflect or learn. The focus seemed to be on what GPs should do to improve relationships with patients and the community rather than on how PPGs could develop.

The opening session had been led by Dr Hannah from Dr Shipman’s old practice area. He was passionate on the need for transparency with patients so that they understood what was taking place and why. He also stressed the need for GPs to show sympathy to their patients.

The following session was led by a Swindon GP who highlighted the recruitment issues that practices faced – only 19% of medical students wanted to be GPs.

This was followed by the Practice Secretary at Dr Hannah’s practice stressing the need for patients to have access to their records so that they are better able to manage their own care, on the basis of knowing what Consultants and GPs are saying about their condition and treatment.

Monica attended two workshops. The first was on how PPGs could provide information and input to organizations beyond the medical practice they were linked with. A number were identified that could value PPG input.

The second workshop looked at how communications could be improved between PPGs, patients and others. This was led by Bev Brookes who extolled the value of Twitter as a means of speeding up and spreading communications. She also described hoe her PPG had focused its recruitment on Sixth Forms, Mother and Toddler groups and opinion formers to increase its numbers and influence. In addition it had set up forums on specific campaigns around areas like prostate cancer and depression to help the practice focus on its priorities.

Monica felt we lacked the numbers for this approach. We needed to focus on promoting the PPG to Danebridge patients at this stage. She recommended that we should prepare another leaflet to mailshot patients to encourage new members.

Page 2 of 5 A final ‘ soapbox’ session at the Conference had allowed participants to raise issues. The following had been raised:

 The need for patients to be told of the cost of their treatment to help them value it more.  How the loss of Welfare Benefits was leading to more demand on GP services.  The impact of missed appointments.

In discussion that followed Monica’s feedback, a number of points were made:

a. A PPG member should attend a Practice Meeting to brief staff on our role, raise our profile and discuss what the practice ideally wants from us. Joe will let us know when there is a meeting we can attend. ACTION: Joe

b. Should we develop a poster campaign to let patients know the access they can have to their medical records?

c. We should contact neighbouring PPGs to share experiences and ideas. ACTION: Sue

d. The practice should continue to highlight the impact of non-attendance at appointments on its effective use of GP and nurse time. It should stress the need to inform the practice if an appointment is going to be missed.

4. PPG Awareness Week

Sue reported that 10 contacts had been made. These would be followed up. Joe will send out Information Packs to those who gave their address. Sue will contact those who gave a phone number or email.

Sue found attendance at a surgery and the opportunity it gave for discussion a good way to contact a representative group of patients and gain their views on the practice. She was supported by other PPG members in this. It was felt it offered a way forward to increase our visibility, identify issues and distribute ‘Friends and Family’ forms. Sue also suggested that the practice might benefit from providing a public access terminal to allow people to allow people to make an appointment on line. Joe was asked to consider if this is possible. ACTION: Joe

Les Moore said that our presence needed to be better advertised. This could be done by receptionists drawing patients’ attention to the PPG representative or putting a banner in a prominent position. Monica suggested that we also utilise ‘Community Noticeboards’ in supermarkets and other locations.

Page 3 of 5 5. Becoming Involved in Improving the Patient Experience

Following on from Dr Russell’s input at the last meeting, PPG considered what else it could do. Beth said that our presence in surgeries on a regular basis would be of value in helping the practice understand patients’ issues.

PPG members had a range of ideas on what they could focus on. It decided to prioritise helping the practice achieve ‘Dementia Friendly’ status in 2015-16. A plan has been developed to improve staff awareness. PPG will link its activities to this and in helping identify carers. Joe will provide information on dates. ACTION: Joe

6. Practice Update

i. Beth reported that the CQC audit had taken place. She believed they would be judged as ‘Good’ in the five areas examined – Safe, Effective, Caring, Well Led and Responsive. ii. There are 5 candidates for interview for the vacant GP positions. iii. In early July, ‘Early Opening’ from 7.30 will start in Danebridge on Thursdays and Fridays. iv. A Bereavement Protocol has been developed. Sandra will be sent a copy for comment. ACTION: Joe/Lee

7. Patient Feedback

i. The surgery was praised for its sensitive and speedy action for a breast cancer patient.

ii. The practice was asked what its policy is toward patients verbally referred by an optician for cholesterol check ups. Beth and Joe said that written confirmation was needed. This requirement could be discharged by the optician annotating the prescription.

iii. A number of patients had suggested that more information on the results of tests would be helpful. So as well as being told the result was ‘Fine’ or otherwise, they could be told any comments GPs or nurses had made, the trend and any advice for healthier living.

Page 4 of 5 iv. The arrangements for ‘Adoption Medicals’ was discussed and clarified.

v. An incidence of poor handling of patient contact by a GP secretary was notified. .

8. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on 16 July. Agenda items include - An update from Katie Brownhill - How we can help the practice become ‘Dementia Friendly’ and identify carers.

Page 5 of 5