Drs Larah, Bacall & Joseph

Patient Participation Group

Higher Broughton Health Centre

25th & 26th January 2012

Minutes

Present:

David Flinn (DF)Practice Manager – Acting Chair

Nicola Allan (26th)Practice PPG Representative

Three female patient representatives (25th)

Two male patient representatives (25th)

Three female patient representatives (26th)

Three male patient representatives (26th)

Item / Action
1. / Introduction
DF thanked all the attendees for their time and interest in the practice’s project to set-up, develop and work with a Patient Participation Group (PPG) in the future. It was explained that these were initial meetings to develop a core group of patients with whom the practice can work/communicate and which can be expanded as required in the future. DF also proposed some basic ground rules for future meetings and gave a brief overview of the practice and its current operation.
2. / What is a PPG?
DF gave a short presentation on what a PPG actually is, the benefits of having such a group and why it is good for the patient, the community and the practice. Further detail was contained on handouts issued to those who attended the meeting. Also mentioned were reasons why groups fail and pitfalls we would wish to avoid.
3. / Group Structure
There was a brief discussion on issues that would require decisions at a second, meeting when all prospective group members could attend together. These included; naming the group, membership, future recruitment and selection of “officers” (i.e. chairperson) which may be better coming from the patient body rather than the practice.
4. / Our Group
Opinions were canvassed as to what patients perceived as current issues within the service provided by the practice. This was done with a view to actioning a short patient survey to gain a wider view about a specific problem or process. Patients generally felt that there were few problems to raise although there was some discussion about the issues of prescribing and communication (methods) with patients which could be looked in to.
5. / Next Steps
DF advised that following the two initial meetings, the intention was to arrange a second group meeting in approx. 6-8 weeks, by which time it was hoped patients would have had chance to think about their membership / participation / contribution to the group. At this meeting, a more formal structure can be agreed along with a schedule of future meetings. (NB – opinion was quite varied on this issue with frequency suggestions ranging from monthly to every 6 months, so it warrants further discussion) / DF to arrange further meeting at a time convenient to majority of attendees and advise a.s.a.p.
6. / A.O.B.
DF advised the group of proposals to both merge with Dr Ghosh’s practice in the Summer of 2012 (and re-brand the then joint practice), and the planned relocation to a new health centre, possibly some time in late 2013. Both projects were positively received.
Date and Time of next meeting to be confirmed