Patient Participation Group

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP MEETING HELD ON THE 1st October 2014

1) WELCOME AND APOLOIGES

PRESENT. APOLOIGES. Tony Brooks John Newton. Steve Nolan Mike Olive Marian Knight Cath Mills Angela Powel Val Hunt. Kalyan Datta (acting chair) Lilian Turner Claire Shelbourn Amy Bonner Dr. Nick Western.

KD welcomed new members and explained in brief that our aim is to work with the Practice and patients to help the practice offer and the patients receive the best service.

2) LAST MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING (12th August 2014) The minutes were found to be correct record. 3e) AB said she has started looking into the possibility of our own website. The company that hosts the Practice site would charge to put another site on and are unwilling to do so. We could just use a button to link to PPG. The practice are looking into using a different host company so we will continue to explore the options. The role of the receptionist. AB said it is hoped that the no reply text that is sent out as reminder of appointments will soon be able to allow a reply. There are other functions that the new system could do as well, this will be further explored. CPR training has not yet been organised, we need a company representative to sponsor the event. The PPG to further with AB. September Meeting. No formal minutes were taken at the September meeting as this mostly dealt with the AGM. However they did agree to reinstate the magazine in reception. They also discussed the use of a white board stating the waiting time for each GP. It was thought, after further discussion that the board would be difficult to keep up. It was agreed that when a Doctor is running more than 30 minutes late the receptionist will inform the waiting patients and tell any patients booking in. AB will see if it is possible to state the waiting time on the booking-in screen instead of just stating how many patients are in front of them.

AGM KD thanked everyone for their input into the AGM, especially those who gave presentations. Generally the patients think that the Practice is doing well. A question regarding prescriptions was raised. The Practice management will be having g a meeting with the pharmacy to try and resolve some of the issues. Prescribing medication is problematic as some patients need a lot of different drugs, that means their health should be checked regularly but at different times depending on the particular problem so just doing a repeat prescription is not always appropriate. It was felt that more clarity was required on the script as not everyone understood what the prescription issue information meant. It was identified that there is a lot of wastage perhaps caused by repeat prescriptions being issued directly by the pharmacy. DR NW thinks prescriptions are best managed by the Practice, once a prescription goes to the pharmacy the Practice no longer has control over it. It was suggested that an explanation regarding prescribing be given to Patients, perhaps in the newsletter. It may be possibly to remind patients of the need to see a Dr before a new prescription is issued. The Practice will look into the problems. SN suggested that he meet with the Practice to further understand the problems. The Practice will explore the process that other Practices use and SN will follow up progress. Some questions and answers from the evening should be put on notice board, also the presentations. Tony agreed to talk with Carina and Val regarding this. The election of John Newton and Lilian Turner for chair and deputy chair will be further discussed at next meeting. LT is still willing to be deputy chair and KD will contact JN to ascertain his willingness to be chair.

PATIENT SURVEYS. The surveys have been collected. JN had agreed to collate the information and meet with Claire. Any action required will be discussed at the next meeting. We do not use The National Survey but purchase one from a private company that uses national bench marks but the results and actions are kept in house.

CARE COMMISSIONING GROUP MEETING. KD gave feedback from the meeting on the 20th August. The commission’s intension is to reduce referral times to outpatient physiology therapy departments{2015/2016} KD took part in the group work some of the conclusions were; more midwifes and GPs are needed, plus more money for Mental Health Services. Several questions were raised, how long should a patient wait for an x-ray appointment. The X-ray department runs a walk in service so there should be no waiting. A patient requiring an MRI will need to see a consultant prior to MRI referral. There is a gastroscopy service in Tadley and the hospital is going to increase the number of of sigmoidoscopies it can do. Do we have a wheelchair in the Practice, yes. KD said his purpose for going to CCG meetings would be to give the PPG feedback and seek solutions. AOB. LD asked if we could call ourselves a committee or steering group. She felt that we should be a core group working with the Practice on behalf of the patient population. TB and KD referred her back to the terms of reference. AJ asked how the flu vaccination programme was working, told very well. It was discussed how we may keep our notice board up to date. TG agreed to speak with CC and VH about this. The contract regarding PPGs has changed, there is no longer any payment to the practice for having a PPG, nor any paperwork required. The Practice is now obliged to have a PPG. There was some mention of the proposal that the government may require a practice to be open 7 days a week, the Practice is not sure how this would be achieved as they are already overstretched.

DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS. 5th November 2014 2nd December 2014 6th January 2015