Ambrose Avenue PPG
Minutes of August 14, 2017, meeting
Present Roly Buss (chair), Ray Hardisty (secretary), Marilyn Rivett, Mavis Knight, Terry Smith, Pam Robertson, Linda Meredith, Mary Russell, Gwen Standen, Elaine Hippisley
2 Apologies: Robert Lingley and Marita Ling.
3 Transfer: Robert has requested to move to the ‘reserve’ list.
4 Minutes of the group meeting on July 10: Agreed as a true record.
5 Matters Arising: Dealt with under the practice report.
6 Practice Report: Elaine reported:
a) The loss of three experienced staff members and another was due to leave at the end of the month.
b) Replacements were being sought urgently. A temporary arrangement with an agency was being used. However, training would have to be given and newcomers would need time to understand the full surgery routine.
c) Mental health training for reception staff had been sourced and would be instigated.
d) Patient requests for an extra phone line to handle appointment cancellations had been investigated but the cost was prohibitive.
e) Requests to make a full reception service available during Ambrose Avenue appointments was not possible at the moment as the service relied on special funding from the CCG and some of the staff on duty were not fully conversant with all the requests receptionists receive.
f) Suggestions of providing basic play materials for children at Tollgate were hampered by Health and Safety regulations. It was suggested that mothers should be encouraged to bring a few items in case to keep youngsters amused in case of extended waits.
g) Thanks for parents taking part in the 2017 survey had been added to the practice website.
7 PPG Membership: Ray reported:
Active 17; Reserve 13, Supporters 240. Total 270.
8 Newsletter:
Ray tabled the suggested September newsletter for supporters, which was agreed.
9 PPG Suggestion Boxes
No comments received since the last meeting.
10 PPG Member issues:
a) Mavis requested that Flu Day arrangements should be reconsidered. She had been approached by a number of patients living around Ambrose Avenue weho would have difficulty getting to Tollgate.
b) The need for more clarity in the existing wording about appointments on the practice phone system was raised including the need to clarify what is ‘urgent’.
c) Examples of confusion between different parts of the website were given and it was suggested that the site be reviewed in its entirety.
d) Community services were discussed and members concluded that a request should be made to service provider Anglian Community Enterprise to attend a future PPG meeting to explain services generally.
e) Gwen raised the issue of different style yellow boxes issued for safe disposal of used needles. She said she preferred a particular type which she rarely received.
f) Pam suggested patients needed education about the annual medication review available from pharmacists.
g) Gwen mention difficulties in obtaining regular appointments, or home visits, from her preferred GP.
11 Outreach.
a) Names were taken for the August information stalls.
12 North East Essex Health Forum.
The agenda for August Local Health Matters public meeting was tabled.
Ray gave feedback on items discussed at the July Colchester PPG Liaison Group meeting.
13 Newsbreaks
Ray tabled details of two press releases from the NEECCG and one from CHUFT, all available from him if members wanted.
14 Any other Business: None
15 Outcomes
a) Being able to raise the request for Flu Day to be held at both Ambrose Avenue and Tollgate surgeries.
b) Website … raising the examples of confusion on the website should lead to better patient understanding once cleared.
c) Reviewed appointments wording on the phone would also assist patients.
d) The suggestion that a representative of Anglian Community Enterprise be invited to a meeting to discuss community services was a positive step.
16 Next meeting
Monday September 11 at 6pm at Tollgate surgery.