Steering Group Meeting – Tuesday 18 January 2017

Present
Eilish Davoren
Val Beeching
Simon Williams
Brian Baker
Michele Westwood / Apologies
Jilly Dobinson
Sarah Horton
Gabby Horton

Minutes

Welcome and Introductions
Previous minutes / Not reviewed
Matters Arising / No matters arising.
Prescriptions / SW raised a concern re repeat prescription process that he has sent to Amanda Murphy – awaiting contact. Action:ED to chase
Concern re changes to medication for patients with mental health conditions – SW reported that patients with long term MH issues were having problems where meds were altered by secondary care – difficulty with getting meds changed at GP end. If they alter (up) dosage, requests for more meds are declined as they are seen to be requesting too soon. ED reported that NHSE had advised all NHS Trusts to issue sufficient meds to allow GPs to receive notification and alter meds on clinical system as a routine matter rather than urgently. Action: ED to forward letter to all for information. SW to share with HUGS contacts, for their information.
ED suggested SW may wish to attend a meeting with pharmacy/BMC to put across his concerns and help the team work through some issues. ED considering limiting chemist service to only housebound/frail elderly patients. Many of the issues are related to chemist managed repeat meds (fault by both organisations) but ED feels the process would be less problematic if requests were made direct to surgery (online services have made this process easier for many patients)
Carers / SW concerned that we may not be aware that there are carers looking after patients with MH conditions and that, if they were to be taken ill, the patient could be left vulnerable.
The current process for identifying carers was outlined. SW asked that GPs get this information as standard from patients – ED said that in practice, and given the 10 minute limits to appnts, this is unlikely to happen. BMC ask that carers self-identify. Patients currently identify either at registration or when they have seen information on the website. Receptionists also help to identify known carers. BMC has a carers’ lead (Hayley Christy) who can be contacted to assist patients with registration with DCC as well as signposting to support organisations. Full info available for carers is on the website with registration forms. Action: ED will summarise and send to SW for distribution to MH contacts.
Dementia Carers – uncertainty re dementia carers groups locally. Action: ED to confirm with Mel Gale @ Alzheimers org.
Future structure / Discussed future structure. Virtual group vs. steering group. Agreed that a smaller steering group linking to the wider virtual group would function better than the larger group.
Suggested inviting virtual members to specific work groups if they had a specific interest in any matter and have time to get actively involved in helping to implement change.
We addressed whether the group was representative. Agreed this is always difficult to achieve. Will revisit the hub/spoke structure, with steering group members being responsible for communicating to harder to reach groups. Action: agenda item for next meeting.
Agreed that the current working group (dementia) of 5 members worked well together and members happy to be part of steering group ongoing. Agreed that Anna Lovell and Gavin Maxwell should be invited on to the steering group as they had ++ local knowledge and had previously been very active in supporting the PPG. Action: ED to contact
ED will ask partner to write to those patients who previously sat on the steering group to advise of the new structure/processes and thank for ongoing support. Action: ED
GP attendance – ED will try to get partner representation at steering group meetings. Current demands on their time may mean this is not always possible but she will do what she can.
Request for badges for PPG members - Action: ED to organise
Frequency of meetings – agreed 2/12ly with more frequent meetings if needed (workgroups etc). 5pm earliest start.
Chair/Secretary – Brian happy to chair meeting – agreed by all present (ED to confirm with Jilly if she is happy with this arrangement) and ED will provide secretarial support.
Volunteers / ED reported no response to advert for front-of-house volunteers. She feels this is a critical post for BMC. SW suggested the posts should be paid, but this is not possible. Discussed how we could best focus recruitment to attract potential candidates. Suggestions included:
  • Contacting Wayfinders/friends of BCH – how to they attract?
  • CMHT – placements for patients with MH looking to return to work environment
  • Press release – perhaps linked to dementia work – uniforms/decorating etc. Suggested View From (Lottie Welch)

Dementia / ED updated all on progress with Dementia work.
She met with Caroline Barnes (has worked with Yeovil Hospital to make environment dementia friendly).
Changes include:
  • Staff will be going back into uniform from 1 February – dementia friendly PINK with names clearly visible under BMC logo.
  • The waiting area is to be painted in zones with reception area highlighted. End of corridor walls to be highlighted in a bold colour.
  • Noticeboard directly in front of entrance is to be removed and signposting improved.
  • Chairs – will be considered in next financial year.
  • Artwork – mural ++ expensive. SW to speak to local artist contacts to see if anyone is willing to paint Colmers Hill on one wall. Remaining art being removed and re-considered. ED will contact Alex Coulter re art loaned/possibilities for future art installations.
  • All front-of-house staff have completed “dementia friend” training.
  • ED sits on “Bridport Dementia Friendly Town” steering group – meeting regularly.

FUTURE STEERING GROUP MEETING DATES – Bridport Medical Centre

3rd Tuesday of every month @ 5pm (reps room)

21 Feb

21 March

18 April

16 May

20 June

18 July