Minutes of Pathfields PPG Meeting 19 July 2017 held at Efford Medical Centre
Present: Helen Baker Jo Skinner Keith Escott Bernice Lewin Dave Setterfield Sue Setterfield Jenny Thornton Andrea Chick
Apologies: Sadie Turner Mary Mcgill Rachael Penny Guy Bowler
Minutes of the last meeting had been circulated and were agreed, there were no matters arising except those that are on the agenda.
Helen and Jo opened the meeting; they felt that the last meeting had been very negative and that Jo had had to address many practice issues regarding the new Hub system in particular. Both Helen and Jo felt that the purpose of the group was undermined and discussion should be constructive to help the Practice move forward. They outlined the difficulties that they face in trying to provide a good service to patients when they have Doctors working 12 hour days of patient contact from 7am and staff under pressure to accede to patient demands. There is a constant battle to educate patients regarding the systems and Helen and Jo often have angry and sometimes aggressive patients to deal with. They accepted that times have changed and new systems have to be found to cope with demand but they feel that respect for all areas of NHS provision is at an all-time low.
It was agreed that the last meeting had been difficult and the group apologised to Jo and Helen.
It was agreed that there should be some change in the way the group runs and Helen suggested a virtual group where issues and ideas could be discussed via the Internet as they arise and a group meeting could be held quarterly for further discussion. Helen and Jo suggested a meeting in the afternoon with input from a practice administrator or team leader as required after group discussion. Meetings can also be arranged to include a speaker on e.g. Diabetes, Dementia, Carers, COPD, Timebank or other topics of relevant to patients. Texts can be sent by the practice to patients who may be interested. The next meeting will therefore be on Wednesday 18 October 2.30pm at Laira Surgery .Helen will invite a speaker on Dementia.
Andrea cannot attend afternoon sessions due to work commitments and was unhappy about a virtual group as she felt that eye to eye contact was important for successful debate. It was hoped that other members of the group will be able to attend or join the group online. Meetings may not be confined to afternoons but Helen can only offer practice staff input at afternoon sessions.
Terms of Reference It was agreed that a review of the terms of reference would be a first step and the secretary will send out the previous document and a copy of the information about setting up groups from Helen. Members are invited to make comments online and prepare for discussion at the October meeting when a final document will be agreed.
Douglass House. No Progress recently
Hub Appointment system. The six month review of the Hub has reported and shows that during the first week of June there were 800-900 telephone calls per week. All calls were dealt with and 25 % of patients were seen on the same day; 9% were seen within the week.
Virtual patient group. It is hoped that the new virtual group will enable timely discussion and help to clarify ideas and suggestions for discussion at quarterly group meetings. Helen said she will able to get information from another practice with a virtual group. Helen will post PPG meeting minutes on the practice website. It is hoped this might attract new members too.
Merger. Helen stated that a merger will hopefully take place in October with Beaumont Villa including Tothill Surgery and patients are being consulted.
Voluntary Walk Leader Livewell had sent information to the practice to circulate to patients about training for anyone interested in leading voluntary walks around their local area. There is a free one day course on 1 November .
Details at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/walk-leader-training-livewell-tickets
Dates of 2018 meetings to be discussed at next meeting
Date of Next meeting Wednesday 18 October 2.30pm at Laira