Patient Participation Group
Minutes of the Sturminster & Marnhull Patient Participation Group (PPG) Held on Wednesday 25th September 2019 at the Sturminster Newton Medical Centre at 7.30 pm
In Attendance: Ian Gall (Chair), and 10 members of the PPG
From the Practice: Debbie Martin (Carers’ Lead and Health Champions at Shaftesbury
Apologies: 16 apologies had been received.
1. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all present. It has been agreed that in future there would only be one database but we will continue with two PPGs – Sturminster & Marnhull and Shaftesbury & Fontmell Magna.
2. PRACTICE UPDATE:
Altogether Better- Health Champions: Debbie Martin reported on the excellent progress this is making and it is planned to extend it to Sturminster Newton.
Primary Care Network: Our Network is called The Vale which is Blackmore Vale and Gillingham. Amongst several new initiatives, a Physio team will work across the surgeries with the aim - See, Assess, Treat and Discharge.
Advertising is taking place for another Pharmacist to work in Nursing Homes.
Interviews are taking place for a Pharmacy Technician for the Primary Care Network.
Work is progressing with severe mental illness checks.
The Practice is working on Complex Frailty with Population Health for people who have recently left hospital.
There are now two new Social Prescribers – Ellis Ford and Genevieve Holmes.
The Carers’ Surgery has been a great success and will be beginning at Shaftesbury soon.
Richard Broad the Clinical Services Manager has become a partner with the Practice.
1 3. Results of the PPG Patient Survey: A Patient Survey was carried out over the summer with over 1100 responses. A detailed report with statistics was given to the meeting. In general, the majority of patients were unaware of E-consult, the new Urgent Care Team and the availability of out of hours appointments. Over 30 pages of praise, comments, concerns and suggestions were received and these are being reviewed by the Practice.
4. Ideal Health Exhibition: Mali Gudgion reported that in 2016 between 12-7pm there were 600. Visitors and the recent Exhibition from 10 to 2.30pm received 400 visitors. Feedback received was very good. Thanks was given to all those who helped to make the event a success.
5. Have Your Say: A comment was made regarding a problem booking a blood test. Patients should ask Hospital Consultants for a form to take to the surgery for the test and the request will also be included in a letter from the Consultant, which should result in being asked to come for a test.
Another comment was about there not being an annual health check with full blood tests. For a variety of reasons, these are not offered in the UK. Annual blood tests are provided for those who are on certain medication or have long term conditions.
A question was raised about the lack of technology between hospital and surgery. This is not a new concern and there are many programmes of work to join up systems. The use of email and Skype etc. between clinicians and patients are being trialed in some areas, but strict policies about patient confidentiality and the new data laws must be adhered to. account.
6. Dates of 2019/20 Meetings:
Tuesday, 15th October – Shaftesbury & Fontmell Magna PPG - 7.00 p.m.
Wednesday, 4th December – Sturminster Newton & Marnhull PPG - 7.30 p.m.
Wednesday 5th February – Shaftesbury & Fontmell Magna PPG - 7.00 p.m.
Wednesday 11th March – Sturminster Newton & Marnhull PPG - 7.30 p.m
Wednesday 13th Mayh – Shaftesbury & Fontmell Magna PPG - 7.00 p.m.
Wednesday 24th June – Sturminster Newton & Marnhull PPG - 7.30 p.m
2
3