Milton Keynes Wheelchair Service

Patient Experience Group Meeting

Bletchley Therapy Unit

5th December 2011

Present:Helen Smith – Head Wheelchair Therapist

Christine Checkley – PDSIUG & CIL & Service User

Annette Holcroft – CIL & Service User

Marion Whale – Link:MK Representative

Dora O’Mahoney – Older persons representative & Parkinson’s society

Apologies:Henrietta Freeman – Younger persons Representative & Service User

Richard Wallace – MKWUG & Carer

Paul Griffiths – AgeUK Milton Keynes

Item / Discussion Summary / Action by / Date Actioned
1 / Minutes of previous meeting
Read and agreed, no corrections.
2 / Terms of Reference (TOR)
Helen and Marion met on 9th November to look at the draft TOR to ensure consistency among all patient experience groups across MKCHS.
A draft copy (refer to attached document) was circulated for comment and discussion.
Changes-
  • Annette felt that the majority of membership should be wheelchair users, agreed 50% as ideal.
  • Agreed time scales for setting of agenda and circulation of minutes – 2 weeks pre and post meeting date.
  • Helen advised that minutes sent via email will be made available as paper copies to those who attend the next meeting.
After discussion TOR were well supported and agreed.
Reporting arrangements to the commissioners to be confirmed by Helen when she meets Rob Luckham (Commissioner) in January.
Helen to discuss with physical disabilities manager support for meetings with admin time (around 4 hours) to take and type minutes. At this time due to staffing levels further commitment for admin support could not be given. / Helen
Helen
3 / Loss of Members
With looking to increase the number of members, particularly those who are wheelchair users, discussed whether a change of location would aid membership. Holding the meeting in a more central location e.g. CIL meeting room, may improve access to more users.
Helen is to meet with PDSIUG and Parkinson’s Group in February next year to promote the group.
Annette advised that she produced the newsletter for the CIL and would be happy to have the Wheelchair Service use a half page or page for updates / advertising. Helen accepted.
Marion also advised that the Link Office could be contacted to access the PPG forum. / To look into cost implications and discuss at next meeting
Helen
Helen and Annette
4 / Approved Repairer (AR) Tender
Helen advised that five of the seven interested companies had submitted final bids for the AR contract. On 29.11.11 tender documents were reviewed and final presentations will be 06.12.2011, Christine Checkley will attend as service user representative.
Points awarded at each stage will be divided by the total amount of the bid, giving a cost per point amount. The company with the lowest cost per point will be awarded the contract.
New contract is due to take effect from 03.01.2012, services users will be informed if there is any change to AR. / Helen and Christine
5 / Commissioner Meeting
Helen reported back on her initial meeting with Rob Luckham (Commissioner) he had been given an overview of the service and some of the issues previously raised by the PEG were identified, e.g. powered wheelchair vouchers. The criteria review had also been briefly discussed.
Helen is to meet Rob again in January where a plan for criteria review will be discussed. Helen requested that if anyone had any main points on the content of the criteria, to email subject line – Message for Helen
Discussion around the ability of the Wheelchair Service to advise on private purchases, will have resource implications. / All members
6 / Request for re assessment
Helen advised that practice at present is that all referrals into the service must be from a Health Professional. Looking to alter this for re assessment requests that can come directly for the client or their carer.
Draft copy of re assessment request form handed out for comment (see attached)
To be discussed at next meeting
Also discussed use of carbonated form to record agreed actions following assessment. Signed by both client and therapist.
It was a well supported idea to improve communication and provide written plan for service user as there is a lot of information discussed at these appointments
Helen to work with clinical team on format. / All members
Helen
7 / Meeting dates for next year - 2012
Discussed and agreed that meetings will now be every two months, still on the first Monday of the month, 14:00- 16:00
February 6th
April 2nd
June 11th
August 6th
October 1st
December 3rd