Attleborough Surgeries Patient Participation Group

Notes from Meeting 28th March 2017

Chair: Vera Dale

Attendees: Tony Crouch, Anne Kerrison, Roger Kerrison, Clare Bakashaba, Elizabeth Burrows, Terry Cracknell, John Felgate, Beverly Bulmer, Gillian Skinner,Lucy McLean

Notes from Previous Meeting

Agreed

Matters From Previous Meeting

Membership Agreement Form – Lucy shared final copies with all members for their signature and return. The document had not been changed from the draft that was approved at the last meeting.

Dispensary Audits

Lucy shared two audits that had been completed for dispensary services.

  1. Medication Returns Audit – Despite significant publicity and display of posters in the Surgery, the number of returned items, remained largely unchanged since the audit that was completed last year. The practice had seen a dip in waste when the medication bath was placed in the waiting area, but this had not delivered sustained changes in patient habits. An action plan has been developed that will be taken to a Practice clinical meeting. There is a big national campaign relating to de-prescribing, to encourage prescribers to reduce medications of limited value.PPG members also suggested that dispensers check what is in the bag before handing to patient.
  2. Owing Audit – This was also a repeat of an audit carried out 12 months earlier. Lucy was pleased to confirm that the Practice had significantly improved its performance on the amount of owed items to patients. This represented 4.12% of dispensed items last year and only 1.5% this year, which exceeded the quality standard set. There are some good reasons for items not always being available for patients to collect, including special order items, limited shelf life and expensive stock.

Terry praised the dispensary team for the good level of customer service he had received recently.

Admiral Nursing Service

Lucy was pleased to share a recent update from South Norfolk CCG regarding this service. The local CCGs in Norfolk have agreed a co-funded pilot with Dementia UK to continue to fund this service for 2 years. The CCGs will also spend time over the next 2 years identifying other funding streams to try and secure this service on an ongoing basis.

Primary Care Delivery

Lucy updated the group on a number of issues:

District Nursing – The Practice is working alongside the Community Trust and other Practices to agree how closer alignment, including hosting the District Nursing Team can be achieved. This would greatly improve communication and enhance the quality of care delivered to patients. The Practice already has a close working relationship with the Frail Elderly Community Nurses, who meet with the GPs at the Practice most days.

Over 75s Funding – Lucy was delighted to confirm the roll over for a further year of this service. This service focusses on residents of care and nursing homes in Attleborough, who are at high risk of emergency admission. These patients have extremely complex needs and the Practice staff employed for this service have developed excellent working relationships with staff and deliver education and support as well as direct patient care.

GP Recruitment – The Practice continues to advertise for GPs to join the Clinical Team. There are significant vacancies nationally, with many women leaving the profession and not enough training places to compensate for those GPs of retirement age.

PPG Feedback and Comment

  • GP Representation - Terry expressed his disappointment that there was no GP present. Lucy explained that this was due to a clash with holiday commitments, which Lucy apologised for. The Practice is very grateful for the support of the group and would normally ensure that a GP attend.
  • Praise for Paramedic – Vera gave high praise for the visiting service given to the residents of St Edmunds Court. A colleague had requested that Vera share this with the Practice.
  • On-line Booking – A query was raised regarding the availability of appointments to book on line. Lucy reported that the Practice is receiving unprecedented demand at a time of vacancy and sickness. The Practice has employed additional locum GPs to cover clinics and hopes to be successful with recruitment soon.
  • Midwife Appointments – These are arranged by the Practice on behalf of the midwives, but we are not always informed who will be running the clinic. Members requested that the Midwives be asked to provide a rota as continuity and choice was important. Lucy agreed to take this forward.
  • Practice Newsletter and Education Events – Vera shared Chet Valley Practice Newsletter, which included a recent education event they had organised. Lucy asked what type of speakers the group felt would be of interest to the Public. Members to consider and feedback at next meeting.
  • Medical Students – Tony had recently met with some of the UEA medical students when attending the Practice. He was very positive about the experience and wished to encourage others to participate if asked.

A.O.B.

None

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held at 5.45pm on Tuesday 23rdMay 2017 at Station Road Surgery.

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