The FamilyPracticeWesternCollege
Patient Participation Group

Resume of the initial meeting held 09.02.15

Present:

Keith Minty / John Plumb
Sue Brazendale / Jill White
Ruth Baker / Penny Dobson
Georges Ware
Ann Light
Jim Jarman
Ilfra Jarman
Viv Tait
Catherine Eva
Ian Goodenough

Apologies:

N Stagg
R Barot
R Baker
V Tait

Update on events since last meeting:

  • Dr Greaves fixed term contract expires in April. She was offered a full time post but unfortunately will be moving north with her husband. The post was advertised but there were no applicants. We are currently considering how to fill this post but this reflects the current shortage of GP’s.
  • Dr StJohnWright has returned from maternity leave working Tuesday and Thursday.
  • Nurse Rebecca Marshal has returned from maternity leave and will be operating minor illness clinics on Monday, Thursday and Friday.
  • The seasonal flu campaign has gone well with good take up rates.
  • We have overcome the busy period from November to January by employing additional locum cover. This is expensive at circa £500 per day but has enabled access levels to be maintained.
  • During the week commencing 16.02.15 the disabled loo will be completely refurbished. Minor alterations are being made to room 5 and the upstairs corridor will be repainted.
  • We have received a good initial response to the Friends and Family Test will all participants prepared to highly recommend the practice.
  • NHS England has provided a central fund of money for premises refurbishments. The practice will be entering a bid.
  • It is likely that we will receive a CQC inspection in March 2015
  • The CCG upgraded the practice computer system to windows 7 in the week commencing 02.02.15.

Review of “on the day demand “over the past three months.

For a variety of reasons the practice recorded statistics of the number of patients who needed to be seen immediately over the past three months. These appointments are provided either in the Duty (emergency surgery) or by a series of appointments released each morning. This information is helpful in planning appointment provision.

The average numbers seen were as follows:

Day / Duty Surgery and Minor illness clinic / Total seen on the day
Monday / 60 / 105
Tuesday / 44 / 73
Wednesday / 43 / 87
Thursday / 36 / 64
Friday / 47 / 75

There was some debate about how many appointments were unnecessary. KM confirmed that there were always a small number of cases where the patient could self-medicate or discuss with the pharmacist before consulting the GP.

Did Not Attend Policy

This was discussed briefly at the previous meeting. KM confirmed the number over the past three months were as follows:

November / 240
December / 172
January / 185

The PPG reviewed the current letters sent to patients who do not attend and agreed to redraft these for distribution and comment.

PPG Annual Report and future of PPG meetings

In 2014 NHS England had criticised the practice for not trying to obtain a more representative cohort of patients for the PPG group. Since that time the practice has contacted underrepresented groups to encourage them to join. Some limited success has been made but it was agreed that it is difficult to persuade busy young professionals to join. Continued efforts will be made to encourage patients to join and all new patients are provided with information.

The timing of the meetings was discussed and it was suggested that a lunchtime meeting may be an alternative. Most members would prefer the early evening meetings.

KM confirmed that the PPG would need to sign off this year’s report. It was agreed that this would be circulated for comment.

Building Plans

KM confirmed that the practice was about to place a bid to NHS England to fund six additional consulting rooms at the rear of the premises on the footprint of the planning consent obtained in 2013. These would be multi-purpose rooms for use by GP’s and nurses and would ease the current pressure on the treatment room. We hope to hear if we have been successful in April 2015.

Self Help Groups

Previously we had discussed the possibility of self-help groups. KM confirmed the offer of a venue and help identifying patients (although there are confidentiality issues). Currently no specific group could be identified.

Website

Penny Dobson had kindly reviewed the website and highlighted some out of date information. This has now been updated.

Military Personnel

Jill White had queried the preferential NHS provision for ex-military staff. KM confirmed that this was the case. Details can be found at

Date of next meeting: Monday 20.04.201511