Sept. 12, 2024

Agenda

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Practice Updates 
  • Matters Arising 
  • Planned Future Activities
  • AOB

Minutes

Welcome and Introductions:

Laura welcomed the group and the new members and introduced Dr Mangat who joined the meeting. Brief discussion regarding previous members no longer able to attend/absence due to other commitments.

Practice Updates

GP Collective Action and Changes

Following the overwhelming results of a recent GP ballot, in which GPs voted in favour of a new contract for General Practice, surgeries have been invited to take action within their practices. Rather than striking or closing their doors, GPs have opted to implement various suggested in-house measures to increase pressure on the government. These actions are designed to support safe services for both patients and practice teams.

In the coming days, weeks, and months, Chobham & West End will decide which actions to implement, ensuring they remain within contractual boundaries, with the goal of compelling the government to negotiate positive changes to the GP contract.

The British Medical Association has provided a list of potential actions for surgeries to consider and choose from. Please see changes we have decided on so far below:

Enhance patient safely and quality of care

o   Reduce from x 30 patient contacts per day to x 25 for GP’s

 The loss of appointments has been carefully taken into consideration. The Duty GP will take on additional routine appointments alongside urgent cases, resulting in an approximate loss of only five appointments per week.

Further changes likely to happen to make primary care sustainable. Surgery will communicate these changes as they are implemented.

 Additionally, there is possibly more funding coming from the government for newly qualified GP’s.

 Staff Changes

  •  A new Clinical Pharmacist started in May.
  • 2 new members of staff joined the reception/admin team following staff retirement/leaving.
  • A brief discussion was had in relation to shift patterns/sickness/turnover.

Matter Arising

 Flu and Covid Vaccinations

  •     For the first time the surgery are offering covid vaccinations in house by the nursing team.
  •       Covid/Flu clinics will be Monday-Friday by appointment only.
  •     Communication to patients via letter/text message.

Planning Future Activities

 PPG Notice Board

  •     Ways to improve the disconnection between patients and the surgery were discussed.
  •     One suggestion is a noticeboard – patients members were asked for suggestions as to content and if someone would like to take on the management of this.
  •     Other means of communication were also discussed and suggestions of collective emails/short videos were suggested 

Patient Survey

  •   It was suggested that this be run by the PPG. PPG to think of questions.

AOB

 Pharmacy Contraception Services

Contraception services including the contraceptive pill are now available at pharmacies without needing to contact GP.

 Appointments

A brief discussion was had on the appointment system and how/when the forms are capped for on the day appointments. There was a suggestion for different forms for urgent/non urgent appointments however this is not possible as the surgery is not able to change the system. It was confirmed that the decision for on the day/routine appointments are made by the triaging clinician based on the information provided on the form.

Routine appointments requests are now open all day during surgery opening hours via reception. This is to ensure that the patient is signposted accurately by a receptionist if the appointment required is more urgent and needs on the day attention.

 Extra funding is normally provided to surgeries to deal with increased demand over the winter period. Additional appointments may be available soon.

 Agreed Action

   Ideas for the Next Leaflet

Suggestions so far – Meet the Staff.

A Day in the Life of a GP – what the role consists of on top of            seeing patients.

                                 Practice Noticeboard.

Chair – PPG to agree.

 Communication Methods.

 Patient Survey Questions.

All members were happy for their email addresses to be shared amongst the group.

 

 Next Meeting Date: Monday 9th December 2024

Minutes written by Senior Administrator and Practice Manager, to be shared and agreed at next meeting.