Minutes of meeting of The Malling

Dipple - Patients’ Participation Group

At Malling Dipple Medical Centre on Thursday 5th Feb 2015

THOSE PRESENT / APOLOGIES FROM
Christopher Harrold (Chairman) / Julie Styles
Frank Mallett / Eddie Coull
Kate Senior (Assistant Manager) / Maureen Jones
Bunty Murtagh (Sec) / James Cucchiara
Angela Murray (Treasurer)
Cheryl Carter
Colin Carter
Susan Smith

Chairman called to order at 2pm. Christopher welcomed the new members and explained briefly the remit of the PPG.

Minutes of last meeting were approved

1First item on agenda was report from Treasurer. Angela told the meeting that Bunty had written to and visited the bank to no avail. Christopher said that we really should have had more help from Malling Health in this regard. Kate said that she had rung the bank a few times. Everyone agreed that the last Treasurer should be made to give details and statements of accounts during her time as Treasurer. Christopher suggested we should seek help from Malling but Bunty and Kate said we should try once more to get a resolution. Angela also suggested that if and when we recover our funds, the money should be transferred to one of the local banks. All agreed.

ACTION BUNTY AND ANGELA

2Christopher explained that he had attended a meeting at Phoenix House in December 2014 at which automated phone services were discussed. The pilot was trialed by the Samaritans and had proved to be successful and workable.

3Duty Doctor and lead doctor update. Kate told those present that two new GPs had been successfully recruited and both were highly qualified and should prove a real asset to the Practice. Drs Khan and Patel. Dr Khan starting in May and Dr Patel starting in March

4Monitor for video. Christopher said that this had been discussed at previous meetings

and that it was high time it was resolved. The monitor is in the attic of a previous employee of the

Practice at an address on Canvey Island. Colin very kindly volunteered to collect it. It was

agreed that if it was not suitable for our needs that we should give it to Dr Rao as a gesture of

good will. Christopher said he hoped that this matter would have moved on by our next meeting.

ACTION COLIN AND CHERYL to coordinate

5NHS friend and family test. Christopher asked whether we should do our own survey or

not asthe NHS already does a survey. It was agreed that we would not supplement this for

the time being. He also pointed out that our surgery is highly criticised on the nhs website. Sue

pointed out that all the local Practices get a poor rating.

6Front desk. Christopher asked what progress had been made regarding name badges

and uniforms for front desk staff. Kate said that she wanted to get the full complement of

receptionists before ordering uniforms etc. This has now been achieved.

ACTION KATE

7Care Quality Commission. Christopher said that he had emailed James in the hope of receiving a report explaining what preparations the Practice has made. No such report was forthcoming so Christopher asked whether it might be an idea to write to Malling Health in this regard.Those present concurred

ACTION CHRISTOPHER

8Joint PPG meeting on 22nd Jan attended by Angela and Bunty. Angela reported on the meeting which to a large extent concerned itself with the building of the Dipple and ideas put forward to improve this and utilise the hitherto wasted space at the centre of the building. Angela also told those present that representatives from the prospective builders of the new medical centre would attend the next joint PPG meeting. Christopher said that he would like to attend and invited those present to join him if they wished to do so.

ACTION CHRISTOPHER

9A.O.B. Bunty said that Maureen had intended to tell the meeting of an experience had by a relative who was told by a receptionist (telephone) to take his health problems to A&E. Others discussed their negative experiences at the Dipple and it was hoped that training would improve the receptionists who are lacking in the skills and manner necessary to do the job properly. It was agreed that most of the staff at the Practice are excellent and Gemma was singled out for praise.

Also under AOB Christopher asked once more about interviews for staff coming to the Practice. He has mentioned this a few times at previous meetings and has been told that it would be subject to the approval of the interviewee even though Christopher or other members of the PPG would only sit in as observers. He reminded us that it is considered part of the PPG remit which is correct. Those present concurred.

Kate said that we now have a duty doctor and that Pauline is a qualified nurse practitioner. Frank said that as a diabetic he needed blood tests and the nurse Practitioner does not have phlebotomy skills and he therefore has to make two separate appointments.

Sue felt that communications between the doctors and the receptionists needs improvement particularly with regard to prescriptions. Colin and Cheryl had an unfortunate experience with medication for their baby which was prescribed in adult dosage. Fortunately the pharmacist noticed so no harm was done.

Christopher called the meeting to a close and suggested that future meetings should be held on the first Thursday of every other month. Therefore the next meeting will be held on Thurs 2nd April at 2pm