Yorkshire Street Medical Centre

Minutesof thePatient Participation Group (PPG)

Held onWednesday 29th February 2012

12:00-13:00

Present: / Title:
G Howley / Chair – patient representative
J Westmoreland / Patient representative
J Johnston / Patient representative
D Lane / Patient representative
R Aslin / Patient representative
Dr P C Hartley / GP
Dr M R Walton / GP
Dr N J Hemsley / GP
J Hartley / Practice Nurse
J Doult / Medicines Manager
M Hartley / Practice Manager
M Phelan / Medical Secretary
K Thompson / Medical Receptionist
Agenda Item: / Summary of Discussion: / Action: / Timescale:
1.1 / Welcome & Introductions
Round the table introductions were held. It was agreed that Mr Gordon Howley would Chair this meeting on behalf of the PPG
1.2 / Aims of PPG
Michelle Hartley gave the group a brief background into the introduction of the PPG and explained that it was a national enhanced service. Other enhanced services available on the East Lancs Primary Care Trust website at;

It was agreed that the patient representatives present at the meeting should receive a copy of the PPG enhanced service specification (see attachment or use link to view the PCT website)
Mr G Howley described the importance of establishing a patient group to feedback on current services and utilise the opportunity to have an input into the commissioning of new local services. This will ultimately enable robust communication links between patients, commissioners & providers of health & social care services. / MH

1.3 / Achievements to date
Michelle Hartley outlined the processes undertaken so far:
  • Develop a virtual ‘patient group’
  • Posters displayed in the surgery to assist recruitment
  • The practice website, Facebook & Twitter were also used to help recruit patients from other categories
  • The practice newsletter was used to enlist patients.
  • The practice held a ‘Practice Open Afternoon’ with the help of the local press to recruit new members

1.4 / Results of Questionnaire
Results of recent patient questionnaire discussed:
  1. 80% of patients stated that they hadn’t had a problem with having to wait in the waiting room before being called in to see the doctor/nurse. One suggestion was for ‘open surgeries’, however the group felt that this would have a detrimental affect on the current excellent access. It was highlighted that the receptionist keeping patients informed of any surgeries ‘running late’ did help patients make a choice as to having a prolonged wait or rebooking.Discussions on how we inform patients that they can request double appointment if they felt that they would require longer than the normal 10 minute slot. One patient had mentioned that Dr Sibson’s waiting room was cold with the back door constantly being opened & the group were told of plans to redesign the waiting area to make it more comfortable for patients.
  1. the results indicated that the majority (64%) felt it would be a good idea to have ‘blocks’ incorporated into the appointment schedule to give the doctors ‘catch-up’ time & reduce the time patients were kept waiting.
J Westmoreland suggested having blocks following every 3 patients. Dr Hemsley suggested that the ‘blocks’ could be personalised to reflect each individual consulters style. The group agreed to trial this & obtain further feedback from patient groups.
  1. 78% of patients asked thought the current policy for dealing with patients who were late for their appointment was fair.
  1. 91% however felt that a new policy for lateness would be an improvement to the situation. This new policy to be implemented & obtain further feedback from patient groups.
  1. 95% of patients felt that the clinical staffs are caring and listened to patients needs. There were lots of positive comments from patients as well as a few negative. Michelle stated that the Practice requires this constructive feedback to enable the whole team to reflect, learn and develop. It was agreed that a poster should be designed & displayed in the reception area to show the survey results and positive comments.
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MH
MH
MH / ASAP
1.5 / Future of PPG
Mr Howley asked the group how they would like to continue in the future. He stated that for the interim he would be happy to continue to ‘chair’ the meetings with the agreement of the group.
It was also agreed that the PPG should meet on a monthly basis initially. The next meeting to be on Wednesday 28th March 2012.
Agenda & minutes will be produced for each meeting.
Minutes to be published on the Surgery website and agenda & minutes emailed/posted to members of the vPPG. / MH
KT / 28.3.12
28.3.12
1.6 / Action
The group were asked to consider what services they would like to prioritise and consider. However following discussions about services both in primary care including enhanced services and the acute hospital service, it was apparent that there was a need to know exactly what GPs provided currently and how we could inform patients of these.
The GPs were asked to provide information for the next meeting on service provision for a possible ‘Directory of Services in Primary Care.
The patient reps were asked to consider how the practice could improve communication links with patients to inform them of service provision.
It was suggested we ask other PPGs what priorities they had and learn from each others ‘good practice’.
Another suggestion was to publicise the enhanced services. See agenda item 1.2, link to local PCT website. / GPs
PPG
MH / 28.3.12
28.3.12
28.3.12

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Next Meeting:

Date:Wednesday 28th March 2012

Venue: Yorkshire Street Medical Centre

Time:12 – 1pm

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