SUMMER 2017 MEDICAL CENTRE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG) NEWSLETTER

Welcome... Contact Details: To the first edition of our new quarterly newsletter, where we hope to keep you informed of what’s happening at the GSGMC. Green Street Green Medical Centre What is the PPG? 21/21a High Street The PPG is made up of patients, doctors and other practice staff who communicate at regular Green Street Green intervals to consider ways of making a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by the practice to patients. We offer our opinion, advice and assistance on how the practice can provide the best possible service to patients. We work together in partnership BR6 6BG with the practice to ascertain the views of patients and represent those views, obtaining Telephone—01689 850012 patient feedback, and help improve services provided by the practice. Patient involvement is now a high priority in the NHS, which is committed to working and engaging with patients, Results—01689 850116 carers and the public in a wide range of ways. Ensuring that people’s views are heard at all Fax—01689 862247 levels and across all parts of the healthcare system is essential for creating and delivering better health and care services. Out of Hours—111 The PPG is not: Website: www.gsgmc.co.uk

 A Practice Management Committee, we do not interfere with the Practice’s management Medical Centre Opening decisions or its day-to-day running: we do not presume a policing or overview function. Times:

 A forum for complaints. The surgery already operates a complaints procedure and a The Medical Centre is open from 8am copy of this can be obtained from the reception. until 6.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Thursdays 7am until 6.30pm and from 08.30—  A vehicle for individuals to voice personal interests, resolve personal issues or to get 10.30am on Saturdays.. additional personal medical service. The extended hours surgeries on Thurs- Work Done by the PPG in 2016 and 2017: Disabled day mornings from 7am to 9am and Saturday mornings from 8.30am until Parking Bays…. 10.30am are for pre-booked appoint- ments only. In March 2016 we approached our local Green Street Green Ward Councillor about the possibility of additional Disabled Bays within the vicinity of the surgery and although he was not unsympathetic to our cause, the council would only consider one Medical Staff Changes: bay. However, in October last year, after much deliberation our request was rejected. Dr Mark Cairns the new GP Regis- We have not given up and will approach the council again at a future date. trar will be joining on the 2nd August and will be with the surgery for one year. Work Done by the PPG in 2016 and 2017: Patient Survey Dr Zara Jawad the current GP Regis- Results… trar who has been with the surgery for four months will be leaving on the 1st August A total of 84 patients completed the Survey which was carried out at Green Street Green Medical Mr Heath Meredith is the new Health Centre during the period 6th March through to 27th May 2016 Perhaps surprisingly, more people Care Assistant joining the GSGMC were satisfied with the current appointment system than were dissatisfied. However, a significant team back in June last year. minority reported issues with trying to obtain an appointment. In the case of routine (as opposed to same day) appointments, over a third of patients had to wait 3 weeks or more. An overwhelm- ing majority of people responding (in excess of 85%) were satisfied with the service they received from the doctors, nurses and admin staff. There were a number of comments, some negative, but mostly positive; most people seem to be of the opinion that surgery staff are doing the best they can with limited resources Issues raised by the survey continue to be discussed within the PPG.

The full results can be found on the GSGMC website (www.gsgmc.co.uk). However, should you not have access to a computer, please contact the PPG and we will be happy to send you a copy of the full report.

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Virtual Patient Participation Group... SUMMER 2017

The surgery is setting up a Virtual Patient Participation Group so that you, the patient can have your say and we are looking for patients to join and play a very important role in our PPG. We need and value the input from a wide range of patients, especially the ones who are busy or with children or who may be carers for someone. As a member of this group we will, from time to time, send you emails asking for your opinion on a range of topics. If you are happy for us to contact you occasionally by email, please complete the form which can be found on the Practice website or pick up a form from Reception.

Voluntary Services…. PPG Committee Members Linda Rusk—Lead Co-Ordinator Each quarter we will give information on one of the voluntary organisations available in the Brom- [email protected] ley area. In this issue we will focus on Age UK, the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60’s is the fastest-growing group in society and there Vicky Andrew— Assistant Co-ordinator are more of us than ever before. has a greater proportion of older people than the national [email protected] average. The number of people aged 75 and over is increasing. Age UK, provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. Such local services Sona Jakeman include fitness classes, befriending services and workshops that help older people get online. Lone- Tony Lavelle liness is a massive issue for people in later life in the UK and at Age UK one of the ways they try to combat this is through their Befriending Service, where a volunteer befriender either visits an older person in their own home or telephones them. With both types of befriending each older person is Important Dates for your Diary: assigned a befriender, who provides friendly conversation and companionship on a weekly basis Academic Teaching Afternoons: over a long period of time. Befriending provides an older person with a link to the outside world The surgery will be closed on the following and often acts as a gateway for other services and valuable support. afternoons. However, If patients need to be For further information, contact Age UK, Bromley & Greenwich on 020 8315 1850 seen urgently please ring the surgery and the receptionists on duty will be able to give the telephone number for the cover service. Tuesday 11th July 2017 The Hub... Wednesday 20th September 2017 (TBC)

This is run by an alliance of the GP surgeries (of which GSGMC is a part) and offers appoint- The Flu Vaccine ments in the evenings on a daily basis and weekends , pre-bookable in advance. With the From mid September, all patients over the age patient’s permission the doctor can link to the surgery’s computer system and access the of 65 and also those in the “at risk” category will be able to have a flu vaccination. Book- patient’s records and the surgery will be able to see the notes made by the doctor you have ing for these appointments will start from 1st seen. The nearest Centre for our surgery is the Medical Centre, but there are also September 2017. sites at the Beacon and Crown Medical Centre in Bromley. Appointments at the Hub will only be offered once all appointments at the Surgery have been taken.

New Services Available At The Surgery... Healthy Tips for coping in the Hot Weather…. New Physio Service: You can now self-refer to your local NHS Physiotheraphy service. Drink cold drinks regularly, such as The Surgery is trailing a new way for patients to see a Physio. If you are 16 years or older water and diluted fruit juice. Avoid you can self-refer for conditions such as Back or Neck Pain, Sports Injuries, Sprains and excess alcohol, caffeine (tea, coffee Strains and Muscle or Joint Pain. It is exactly the same service but without the need to see and cola) or drinks high in sugar. your GP first. This will be quicker for you and save your GP time. Call 01689 887710 to Have cool baths or showers, and self refer or ask at Reception. splash yourself with cool water Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat Blood Tests: It is now possible to have a blood test performed at the Ballater GP and sunglasses, if you go outdoors Surgery in Road, Orpington on a Thursday morning. Patients can be given a Avoid the heat: stay out of the sun specific appointment time and this can be booked by speaking to the GSGMC Reception and don’t go out between 11am and team. It may be more convenient for you. 3pm (the hottest part of the day) if you are vulnerable to the effects of heat. News from the Surgery ... Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to On the 14th May this year, Debbie, Tracy, Julie and Jane from the surgery‘s Administra- look after themselves tion Team, took part in the 5K walk for St. Christopher’s Hospice and between them raised a grand total of £490.00. Congratulations Ladies.

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