ST JOHNS MEDICAL CENTRE – ALTRINCHAM
MINUTES OF PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG) MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 30TH JUNE 2015 at 17:00
In Attendance : Dr M Sangha, Dr J Allred, Mr Ian Sadler Practice Manager, and
Lyn Nurse, Medical Secretary – Note Taker
Patient Members : Hilary Bailey, Jean Cooper, Roger Ford, Ronald Hutton, Shelia Hutton, Margo Kane, Amar Sabberwal, Joya Sabberwal
Apologies were received from : Saqib Khan, David Sukert, Jean Cox
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Dr Allred welcomed members to the meeting and highlighted how important these meetings are. She highlighted the fact that feedback from patients is very important in moving forwards.
MINUTES TO BE DISPLAYED ON PRACTICE WEBSITE
The Minutes of this meeting and forthcoming meetings will be displayed on the website for all patients of St Johns Medical Centre to be kept informed.
CARE QUALITY COMMISSION – CQC – 8TH JANUARY 2015
Members were informed that the Practice had been inspected by CQC on 8th January 2015. The overall award for St Johns Medical Centre had been assessed as good with areas of outstanding. At this point a patient member indicated that they felt the CQC framework was flawed and therefore, St Johns should not be focusing too much on gaining an outstanding award. Members were informed that a lot of work had gone into the preparation for the inspection by Partners and staff.
PRACTICE PRESSURES AND AGENDA ITEMS
New Government initiatives – eg Friends & Family / Named GP for everybody
Practice Pressures – Doctors workloads
New Clinical System – 12TH Novermber 2014
Members were informed that over 95% of Practices in Trafford are now on the new EMIS Web Clinical System. St Johns Medical Centre had the new Clinical System installed on 12th November 2014. This is a very modern and up to date Clinical System, however the initial change-over was quite difficult.
The new Clinical System now allows patients to see their clinical records, book online, see test results, letters, medical summaries, etc. This service is now available via the Practice Website – www.stjohnsmedicalcentre.co.uk and can be activated by contacting St Johns Medical Centre, Administration Department.
Members questioned how secure is this Service. The system is very secure – NHS Firewall etc
Online Prescribing Services
Members were informed that Electronic Prescribing is available to Practices. 60% of Practices will be up and running by March next year. St Johns Medical Centre is waiting for the ideal time to proceed with the project.
Members then discussed repeat prescriptions, members informed that the busiest time for prescriptions is a Monday and Friday. We do try to turn round Repeat Prescriptions within 24 hours.
Members informed that prescriptions dropped off by patients at the chemist may not always be delivered to St Johns Medical Centre on the same day.
Members were also informed about the St Johns Medical Centre Quality of Service Board - used by St Johns staff to monitor letters, prescriptions, telephone calls etc.
Appointments – DNA’s
Last week over 60 appointments were missed by patients. Group Members in attendance were very surprised by this. Can anything be done to control this ? and stop the wasting of NHS money. If a Dentist appointment is missed the patient can be charged. General Practice is at present unable to charge for missed appointments.
Some patients have been known to book appointments up to 1 month in advance in case they possibly need an appointment !!!!
There then followed much discussion on how to monitor DNA’s etc. One suggestions was perhaps the surgery could text patients who frequently miss appointments the day before their appointment, to remind them to attend ?
Appointments – A&E
It has been reported by the press that there is an increase in patients going to A&E because they couldn’t be seen at their GP practice. (No evidence to support this)
Members were informed that St Johns had set aside 3 appointments per day, so that the A&E departments could telephone the surgery and book the patient in if they’ve attended A&E inappropriately. This was set up 2 years ago and we haven’t received 1 telephone call.
Telephone busy periods
Practice Manager informed members that the surgery is taking over 2½ thousand calls per week. He also confirmed that during busy periods every member of staff is taking calls to ease the pressure.
Named GP
By March 2016 every registered patient is to be assigned a named GP. However, it was pointed out that St Johns is a Group Practice and as such patients can see any GP of their choice.
ALTRINCHAM HUB – SPRING 2017
Dr Sangha introduced this agenda item, members present were shown a computerised image of the possible new Altrincham Hub.
It was explained that the old Altrincham Hospital is to be demolished to make way for South Trafford Health and Well Being Hub.
The ground floor would be a Library, Café and Pharmacy. The 1st and 2nd floors would be taken over by the CCG. St Johns have been approached 2 months ago re. moving to the new hub.
It was pointed out at this stage to members that no decisions have been made by St Johns Partners and that the project is in the very early stages.
Pros and Cons
St Johns Medical Centre is a great building but unfortunately, is no longer big enough.
Dr Sangha pointed out that the meeting room members were in today can only hold 10 – 12 people - at the new hub would be able to hold meetings to accommodate more people/services.
The car parking at St Johns is a major problem as there are not enough spaces.
Members were informed that other local practices would be invited Altrincham Medical Practice and Barrington Road along with St Johns on the 1st Floor of the hub.
Dr Sangha again reiterated that this is in the initial stages and nothing has been agreed yet.
The PPG will be kept informed at all stages of the process.
There would also be the issue of selling St Johns existing building as it’s owed by the Partners.
Community Services, Out Of Hours, 8 to 8 and 7 day opening could work far better if shared with other surgeries all occupying the same building would be able to distribute the workload.
More services could be available and offered at the Hub : Coil fits, gynaecology, dermatology and minor surgery. Patients would not have lengthy waits for hospital appointments, as procedures could be done at the Hub. Due to the demand at the present time St Johns has struggled to offer these services. However, in conjunction with other practices in the Hub would offer these services and they would run more efficiently.
Members had heard a rumour that St Johns Church further along from St Johns Medical Centre would be closing next year. This was not an option as there is 2 residential properties between the Church and Practice.
Also offered at the Hub will be a Drive In MRI scanner.
At this stage a member indicated that services for mental health are not good in Greater Manchester and that it was not possible to access mental health services in other areas. Members were informed that mental health is an issue across the country.
The nursing home visit ratio is very high for St Johns because there are a large number of nursing homes in the practice boundary. St Johns have more nursing home patients than any other practice in Trafford. With a federation set up (a group of surgeries) can have a more even distribution.
How much patient parking would there be at the proposed Hub ?
Still in very early stages but anticipated that there will be parking under the new building for 100 cars spaces which will probably be for Patients and Duty Doctors.
The Council have indicated that Regent Road Car Park is going to be re-built as a multi-storey car park.
Dr Sangha indicated that parking is a major issue in the move and that this is an issue not to be taken likely when considering the move.
Members were informed of a new project being set-up by Trafford CCG - CARE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE – members were give a copy of a letter regarding this from Trafford CCG. This new service will be housed at the proposed Hub.
The Care Co-Ordination Centre will deal with referral letters, transport etc. More information regarding the Care Co-Ordination Centre can be found on the Trafford CCG Website - www.traffordccg.nhs.uk
All Trafford practices will sign up to this.
If a patient is chasing a referral or an ambulance / transport has not arrived they can telephone the centre. This will hopefully reduce DNA’s etc.
The time scale for the new Hub is 2 years (Spring 2017). There will be a Public Consultation in July.
The CCG have approved this move and St Johns would be tenants subletting from them.
Members pointed out that some patients may not be happy with the proposed re-location and that some people don’t like change !
Plans of the proposed new hub were shown to members present. The Hub will have a very large reception area.
FUTURE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP MEETINGS
The group was informed that future PPG meetings would be held every 3 – 4 months. However, meetings could be held sooner if required.
It was hoped that Patients would drive future agendas. The Practice Manager requested that future agenda items be submitted 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
Members were asked to provide their email addresses in order that they can be kept fully informed and sent Meetings minutes etc. The Practice Manager gave his email address to enable the members to forward future agenda items, up-dates etc.
Members were thanked for their attendance at the meeting by Dr Jane Allred and for their participation in shaping the way forward for St Johns.
Monday 6th July 2015