Minutes

Patient Participation Group Meeting

29 February 2012 at 6.30 pm

At Faversham Health Centre

Present:Patients:Christine Wolfe, Jenifer Parry, Marika Sherwood, Barbara Rutter,

Colin Simmons, John Kelly, Margot Buchanan

Kent Link:Rebecca Barraclough

C4G:Claire Boraston

Practice:Dr Curry, Dr George, Dr Sawitzky-Esser, Sally Rogers, Janice Collins and Ann Richardson

Apologies:Patients:Sidney Barker, Malcolm Foster and Rob Smith

Practice:Dr Gupta

RB Chaired the meeting – she explained how Kent Link worked and how Patient Participation Groups work.

AR gave out handouts on the completed patient survey which included the questions and responses together with graphs and a typed list of comments received on the survey. The survey was given to 50 patients per GP who attended the surgery during February 2012 or had home visits.

The survey had been sent to the patients who had put their name down to join the Patient Participation Group for their perusal, approval, suggestions or amendments.

It was apparent from the survey that more people wished to have more pre-bookable appointments. This was discussed within the group and SR explained that at the present time we have 5 pre-bookable appointments per day and these can be booked up to 3 months in advance.

After discussion it was agreed to increase the pre-bookable appointments to a minimum of 7 per day – 4 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon.

Some members of the Group did not realise that this was possible and it was agreed to put up notices to give patients this information. We will also give out a note with repeat prescriptions. This information is already given out to all new patients in our practice leaflet and on the website.

It was noticed that our early morning telephone system was not as good as it should be. It was explained that the whole site were having a new telephone system, this should have been done July 2011 but no date yet has been given and we are hoping that with the new system we will be able to have a system where patients do not have to keep ringing but go on a call waiting system.

A number of patients also thought that on-line booking would be a good idea but at the present time it was decided that this would not work as it would take out more appointments therefore leaving less appointments available to book on the day.

CB talked by C4G and their roll within the NHS and how they are taking over the commissioning of services from the PCT on behalf of GPs in the Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Bridge and Faversham area.

  • Cottage Hospital and local services.
  • Physiotherapy was discussed and the Group did not know that the waiting time for a physiotherapy appointment has been cut to about a 2 week wait and that you can now self-refer to the Physiotherapy Department at the Cottage Hospital, referral forms can be obtained from the surgery reception desk. NHS referrals can now also be sent to Kessons Physiotherapy Clinic.

Any other business:

  • Terms of Reference for the Group to be circulated with the minutes to the group
  • Health Education
  • Cost of drug, drinking and obesity
  • Living will

Dr Curry thanked everyone for coming and stated that we would be contacting the Group with these minutes and the report for the PCT for the Groups approval or comments and asking when they wished to hold their next meeting.