Minutes of Danebridge PPG Meeting
Date: 18 October 2012
Venue: Kingsmead Surgery Meeting Room
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1Attendance
Present: Sue McKenzie,Greta Fox, Hilary Perrett, ChristinePickthall, Lee Brown,Beth Hanson, Kathryn Cook, Stan Mendham.
Apologies:Cheryl Williams, Les James, GwennoShalders
Absent: Margaret Morgan
2Record of Previous Meeting and Action Points
On Item 5, Patient Feedback, the Chair pointed out that standardization of packaging and medicines was not an approach the pharmaceutical industry would support. Differentiation was required for patient safety in distinguishing medicines. Packing and labeling of medicines is legislated by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. It dictates the structure, content and language of the outer packaging and the patient information leaflet.
On Action Number 06/05 Beth believed that Fiona McGregor Smith would not be able to add to the information that would be available at the CCG Public Engagement meeting of 30 October. PPG decided that Fiona’s invitation to attend to update should, therefore, be moved to the next Quarter.
3Patient Survey 2012
Beth Hanson led the discussion by circulating surveys from the Royal College of Physicians and IPSO Mori, suggesting how the issue of repeat prescriptions could be addressed. On continuity of care she said the difficulty could be on acting on the responses to questions. Stan Mendham asked if action was required on responses to all questions. Beth said the expectation was that patients’ responses would lead to actions to improve services. Sue McKenzie suggested that questions on continuity of care could be valuable in showing the practice the saliency of the issue amongst patients and so helping it refine its operational model
In response Beth said the aim was for patients to know that 2 GPs would cover their care needs. She also pointed out that GPs had specialisms. It could be better for a patient to see the appropriate GP rather than have continuity of care from the same GP who lacked specialist knowledge of their condition.
It was decided that generic questions in lay language should be asked. Sue McKenzie suggested a sub group look at the specific questions to be asked. Greta Fox and Christine Pickthall volunteered to draw up the first iteration of the questions. These would be circulated for amendment to PPG members. The aim would be to provide the November meeting of PPG with questions which had been quality assured.
ACTION: Greta and Christine
The same process would be used for the questions on repeat prescriptions. Kathryn Cook would circulate draft questions to PPG for quality assurance.
ACTION: Kathryn
This process would allow PPG to sign off the questionnaire at its November meeting and agree timing and participation in delivery in January 2013.
Sue suggested it could be valuable to conduct some of the delivery in the pharmacist beside the practice. This was agreed. Sue will approach the relevant pharmacists.
ACTION: Sue
4What’s new at NAPP
Hilary reported that NAPP is piloting workshops on Commissioning. South Cheshire is taking part. The aim is to develop a learning framework and workshops for PPG members from March 2013.
Sue said Ian Dean had information from NAPP on the role and operations of PPG. Ian had passed some material to Cheryl Williams. Sue asked that Cheryl updated PPG on what information we hold.
ACTION: Cheryl
5Practice Updates
- Three GPs have left or are leaving the practice – Dr Aquilla, Dr Coney and Dr Harris. The practice is seeking to replace them and is taking the opportunity to look at what is needed in terms of GP hours to provide coverage for patients.
- The new IT system is in place with some teething problems, e.g. slow to navigate through for receptionists, functioning of self check-in terminals.
- New TVs have been installed in surgeries’ waiting areas.
- Sue mentioned the need to remove outdated magazines from waiting areas. Kathryn will arrange for this to be done.
ACTION: Kathryn
- Lee Brown pointed out that the website entry for PPG did not contain the latest minutes. Kathryn said she will arrange for them to be added.
ACTION: Kathryn
6Patient Feedback
- An issue was identified with entering date of birth on self check-in. Beth would speak to Frankie to see if there was a solution.
ACTION: Beth
- Hilary asked whether there was hygiene guidance for staff in handling animals while in uniform. Kathryn said she would remind staff of the guidance.
ACTION: Kathryn
- Sue outlined her experience in seeking to cancel an appointment and the lack of professionalism in dealing with a patient. This could lead to patients failing to turn up rather than using the system. Kathryn would remind the relevant staff of the correct approach.
ACTION: Kathryn
- Sue reported about the problems a patient with an eating disorder had had in getting an urgent prescription. Beth outlined what should have happened when an urgent prescription fails to reach the surgery
Sue also reported that the patient’s relatives had sought to use the complaints procedure but were persuaded not to. Kathryn said the procedures should have been explained to the relative. Kathryn will speak to the dedicated prescription team about the correct process for dealing with lost urgent prescriptions and the need to allow patients to access the complaints procedure.
ACTION: Kathryn
7Any Other Business
- The Clinical Commissioning Group will hold a meeting on Public Engagement on 30 October. Greta will attend and report back to November PPG. Sue urged other PPG members to attend if possible.
ACTION: Greta
- Kathryn will arrange for the poster for the CCG meeting to be put up in each surgery.
ACTION: Kathryn
- Sue asked Lee to circulate the contact list for PPG members for updating.
ACTION: Lee
- Greta asked that the PPG membership list be updated for each surgery.
ACTION: Kathryn
- Sue reminded PPG of etiquette for meetings:
-Bring copies of agenda, action points and minutes
-Send apologies if unable to attend.
8Closure
The next meeting will take place on 15November at 4.30pm in the Kingsmead Surgery meeting room.
Identified agenda items:
-Patient Survey 2012
-Feedback on Public Engagement
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