MINUTES OF THE ST GEORGE’S PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG) MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2015 AT 12 NOON

PRESENT: Malcolm Ginever (Chair), John Hewitt (Secretary), Dr Matthew Jelpke (Senior Partner), Rod Jones, Helen Miller (Vice-Chair), Ian Munro, Melissa Prinn, Ian Thompson, Carol Wilson (Practice Manager)

APOLOGIES: Paul Graham, Helen McKenzie, Lorraine Pulford, Andrea Rivlin, Thelma Robertson, and Carolyn Thackstone

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (19 JANUARY 2015): These were agreed as an accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING:

Dermatology services at the Treatment Centre: The withdrawal of specialist dermatology consultants continued to cause concern. It appeared that the consequences of commissioning a new contract whereby Circle, the private provider, required a change from NHS contracts to TUPE ones had not been fully assessed, with proper risk assessment and contingency planning. The new contracts appeared to be leading to reduced job security for specialist consultants and to more time spent looking for replacement staff from the E.U. There was concern about acute adult dermatology services, including the treatment of severe skin cancers, and the implications for teaching, training and research at the Nottingham Centre. Local Health Commissioners have been discussing with Circle and the NUH Trust how quality dermatology services can be maintained in the future. We were strongly continuingto make our PPG’s concern known to the Rushcliffe CCG.

Care Data: We were still awaiting a response from the local MP and the Secretary of State for Health about our concerns on the proposed new care data system.

Friends and Family Test:There had been 12 patient responses (9 paper ones and 3 online). PPG members were shown the breakdown of the responses, with the patient comments. Responses to the test questions were required to be anonymous. However the FFT card could be amended to invite those who may want a personal, individual response to provide their name.

The Practice was considering communicating with patients more through the mjog system, a patient messaging service for GP practices, via texts, and emails. As well as appointment reminders, patients could cancel their appointments, be reminded of flu jab days, and respond to the Friends and Family Test.

The Practice had appointed two carers’ champions, who were receptionists - Kath Smith and Dawn Benson.

HEALTHWATCH:

Research was being carried out on transport problems for renal patients. Views were wanted from carers and other users of the local adult and child mental health services. The next patient prioritisation panel meetings would be held on 14 April and 12 May between 6pm and 8pm.

FEEDBACK FROM EQUALITY CONFERENCE HELD ON 5 FEBRUARY: John Hewitt had attended the morning session of this conference. The main purpose of it was to help patient groups and NHS/GP staff to be more aware of patient and staff diversity to ensure that their actions would not lead to any discrimination. There was mention of the BDA/BSL Charter to improve access for deaf user services, “disabled go” – the online accessibility guide for hospital visitors, the concerns of LGTB patients (e.g. They often attend cancer clinics on their own), and of the top 5 languages in the NUH Trust area for translation, being Polish, Sign language, Urdu, Punjabi, and Arabic. A grading system had been produced to try to help health workers to measure how minority groups were treated compared to the majority. The NUH Trust would analyse equality data from GP Practices (taken mainly from data from new patients) to help them monitor this. (ACTION – JH to give the equality monitoring form used at the conference to CW for possible use in the registration of new patients; CW to consider whether there was a case for arranging sign language training for GP staff).

UPDATE ON PATIENT NUMBERS/STAFF CHANGES: The number of patients is now 9,946 (an increase of 69 in the last month). A search of the names of new patients’ former doctors would show how many were transferring from the new super surgery on Wilford Lane.

A new nurse would be joining the Practice from March, working for 3 days per week, to complement Laura, who was working for 2 days per week; meaning more nurse support.

Patients had recently been asked, through texting, whether they would be interested in taking part in a research study on stopping smoking. Volunteers were also being sought forresearch into whether emollients help child eczema patients if given early enough; another way in which the mjog messaging service was proving useful.

FEEDBACK ON CARE QUALITY COMMISSION INSPECTION HELD ON 10 FEBRUARY:

The CQC investigating team had been friendly, and gave helpful feedback from their visit. Their full report was expected in about 2 months’ time. PPG members were thanked for their input on the day and for their help with the patient survey.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

(1)There was doubt whether the plans for new houses at Sharphill Woods included provision for hew healthcare facilities. If they didn’t then this may have significant repercussions for the St Georges’ Practice (ACTION MG/HM to pursue with the CCG);

(2)Although note had been taken of a recent letter/email from Vicky Bailey, the view was that the CCG should continue to be pressed to provide evidence for their view that the policy of allowing only 2 referrals for physiotherapy was justified. Since the introduction of this policy the number of referrals had decreased, which may mean that patients were taking longer to recover from their injuries/problems, even if they were exercising as recommended by a physiotherapist! (ACTION MG/HM)

(3)A new contract between the PPG and the Practice would be introduced on 1st April.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 20 April 2015 at 6 pm (ending about 8 pm).

JOHN HEWITT

PPG Secretary