DOWNING STREET GROUP PRACTICE PATIENT FORUM

Date / Thursday 20th April 2017
Time / 6:30 – 8:00pm
Attendees / Valerie Fabry, Gordon Radley, Valerie Wilkins, John Chennells, Barbara Chennells, Roger Steele, Janet Maynes (Chairman of Trustees of 40 Degreez), Mary Parker, Lesley Parker, Cathryn Trezise (Practice Nurse), Dr Kate Russell (GP), Suzanne Nicholls (Practice Manager)
Apologies:
Dr Edward Wernick, Christine McIntosh, Al Corbett

Madge Green

Suzanne informed the group that Madge Green sadly diedrecently. Madge has contributed a huge amount to the patient group at the practice including working extremely hard to create an information directory of services which is widely used by patients and staff.

Prescriptions

Several people present had experienced delays in obtaining prescriptions. It was agreed by those who used it that that online access method to order repeat prescriptions is an efficientand seemed to be effective.The group feltit may be useful to survey patients or complete an audit to assess where any problems might lie in the process and agreed to give this idea more consideration at the next meeting.

Young people and mental health

Janet informed the group that 40Degreez would be setting up a health hub in November. The plan is to ask healthcare workers to see patients or deliver health education in the centre. Funding being sought for approx. £30000 to provide these services. 2 similar local projects were discussed such as The Bungalow in Farnham and theSafehaven Café in Aldershot. And it was suggested that Janet may wish to approach them for advice.

It was also suggested that Janet may be in a position to encourage young patients to join their GP patient groups to help ensure their voice is heard. Currently the Downing street and other patient groups struggle to attract young members.

Farnham Integrated Care Centre

Suzanne updated on the progress of the centre which is due to open on the 1st June. Doctors from 4 Farnham practices will work together to see patients requiring same day appointments. The aim is to better control on the day patient demand to allow for increased routine appointment availability for the improved management of longer term and chronic conditions.

There will also be 2 newly employed paramedics seeing patients at home when they are unable to attend the surgery.

In the longer term practices hope to run further services from the centre such a dermatology, counselling and physiotherapy.

Concerns were raised about the parking availability. This is being addressed by NHS Property Services, who are intending to introduce a charge in the car park to deter commuter parking.

One patient had heard that Receptionists would be triaging patients. Suzanne said that this is not the case and receptionist would only be taking the initial details from the patient, as they do now. A clinician will determine the urgency.

Clinical pharmacist

Valerie asked Suzanne to mention that there is now a Clinical pharmacistworking 2 half days in the practice. Bo can be seen for medication review and may be particularly useful to see for patients on multiple medications.

Communication from the practice

Some of the information discussed at the meeting was not known to the patients present. Although the practice tries to make information available via the website and noticeboards, this certainly does not all reach patients. It was agreed that a part of the next meeting could be dedicated to how to best communicate information to patients.

Innovation bid

An “Innovation Bid” has been submitted and funding awarded for the introduction of a pod at the Farnham Centre for health. This would be an outreach information and advice service. Currently it is run by Age UK Surrey between 10 and 1 on a Thursday but will be extended and developed to be supported by different voluntary agencies.

CQC

The practice had a Care Quality Commission inspection in November. The inspectors investigated the practice in detail, speaking to staff, clinicians and patients. The practice was proud to report that Downing Street was rated good in all areas and no concernswere highlighted. The summary of the report is below or the full report may be accessed from this link: Inspection Report Published 26 January 2017 PDF | 290.9 KB (opens in a new tab)

Updated 26 January 2017

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Downing Street Group Practice, Farnham on 22 November 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good. Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
  • Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
  • Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
  • Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
  • Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
  • Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
  • The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)

Chief Inspector of General Practice