June 19, 2024

Agenda

  • Welcome and Introductions 
  • Practice Updates 
  • AOB

Minutes

Welcome and introductions:

Laura welcomed the group and reintroduced Dr Hassan who joined the meeting. Brief discussion regarding previous members no longer being able to attend meetings due to other commitments.

Minutes from last meeting agreed.

Practice Updates

 Promoting PPG members.

  •        Discussion regarding an advert that had just been placed on Facebook for any patients interested in joining the group to get in touch with the surgery
  •        High interest from patients last time. Unfortunately low uptake due to patients not being able to commit to joining the group
  •    Group were positive that the new leaflet will entice a few extra members

 

Practice Leaflet

  •   All members happy with the layout of the new practice information leaflet.
  •   Few minor amendments made.
  •     Confirmation that once the leaflet has been updated it will be distributed to all patients via text, made available to view on the website and hard copies to be printed and available in reception areas as soon as possible.
  •   Thanks given to Tony for spending so much time producing the final draft

 Patient Feedback

 Facebook   

  •  The recent negative feedback left on Facebook was discussed. Laura acknowledged and accepted that it would be great idea to reply to patients regarding their concerns directly on Facebook, however the surgery do not have the man power to monitor the social media site.
  • Patient feedback is crucial and encouraged at the surgery, Laura confirmed all complaints are dealt with individually and thoroughly investigated. Learning from feedback is always recorded, discussed and relevant changes are made. However Facebook is not the pathway that can be monitored efficiently.
  • Jane offered to monitor Facebook and direct patients to leave their comment/concerns/complaints via the correct pathway, either directly with reception, email or via the practice website. 

Jane explained that the general feedback left by patients recently was lack of access to appointments, lack of blood tests at the surgery and patients taking HRT feeling unsupported.

 Access

  •  Laura confirm that the appointment system is under constant review and that the surgery are well aware of the requests forms being shut early due to demand, and are keen to find a solution.
  • Establishing a way of controlling the ability to close the forms/requests to urgent on the day demand once capacity has been reached but allowing routine requests to still be submitted is currently being reviewed.
  • Laura explained that a new system is being devised and will be initiated soon. This should allow patients to be able to submit routine request after the forms have been shut to urgent on the day demand.
  • Laura to update the group of new system at next meeting

Blood tests

  •  It was confirmed that blood tests are still available to book at the surgery however our Healthcare Assistant who is training to become a practice nurse is currently on UNI placement resulting in limited availability
  • Patients that are able to go elsewhere are encouraged to do so. Appointments can be booked at most local hospitals and are often have much more availability.
  • Allowances will and are made for those who cannot travel. Patients to speak to reception who will help assist the patient.

HRT

  • Laura confirmed that we have two women’s health GP’s who specialise in patients with HRT concerns. Request forms will need to be submitted and will be triaged by the triaging clinician. Requests will be actioned appropriately depending on clinical need.

Flu/Covid season

General discussion regarding Flu season coming in autumn and how the surgery will be offering the Covid vaccination in house for the first time. All vaccines will be done by appointment only and more details will follow. Any new updates that patients need to be aware of will be disseminated to eligible patients in the meantime.  

AOB

 GP Collective Action 2024

Protector Our Patients; Protect our Practices campaign was briefly discussed. Laura and Dr Hassan explained the collective action GP’s are taking to proctect surgeries and patients by objecting to the new GP Contract. A GP ballot is in the process and will close at the end of July. Depending on the results will depend on the next steps. Posters were shared with the group regarding the amount of funding received for each patient from the government. Agreed that is far less than most people image. Laura to share update of ballot at next meeting and proposed changes to the surgery. 

 Agreed Actions

  •   Laura to invite interested patients to join group
  •          Laura to distribute final copy of Practice Leaflet to patients once amendments are made
  •     Jane to monitor Facebook and direct patients to leave feedback via correct pathway
  •         Laura to update website with Protector Our Patients; Protect our Practices campaign posters

 Next Meeting Date: Thursday 12th September 2024

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