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| 2014 |
Executive Committee Members: Patricia Daniels (PD), John Doland (JD), Doris Halls (DoH), David Harper (DaH), Joyce Jarvis (JJ), Nick Martensz (NM), Josephine Powell (JP), Chris Stannard (CS)
Emilio Ceraudo (EC), Graham Hardy (GH), and L.M. Stockman (LMS) were absent with apologies.
Surgery Representatives: Fiona McGlashan (FM)
The minutes from the meeting of 26 February 2014 were approved and accepted. JP mentioned that patient survey comments and results sent by FM in February had been posted on the web site.
JD asked FM to give the surgery reply to occasional non attendance of surgery representatives. JJ commented that it was appreciated that the Maple Surgery were now covering longer hours.
FM said the comparison figures given had not gone down well, and they felt it unfair to be compared with Acorn Surgery as they were not in competition. That said, they would try their best to have someone present at the meetings. Dr Rasool was not available any Wednesday due to child care arrangements. Lesley Davis covered three surgeries and travelled home to Coventry, and FM would attend as many as her work load would allow. The surgery's request for a quarterly lunch time meeting was discussed at length. DaH, CS, and possibly PD were unable to commit to lunch time meetings due to work. CS commented that this was not intended as criticism. It was noted that the last doctor to attend a meeting had been Dr Prince. A suggestion to hold a meeting on another evening was discussed if a venue could be arranged, as the Church and Octagon have lots of bookings. The Parish Office meeting room was discussed as a lunch time option and JD offered to approach the office and ask. FM would ask the surgery which would be best for them. Wednesday lunch time was asked to be avoided due to the weekly walks. It was commented that maybe this problem for the surgery should have been raised sooner.
Anthea Parsons was now employed on Tuesday and Thursday, specialising in dressings, ulcers, wounds and blood tests. Chronic disease needs were covered by Elizabeth Edunsin (EE).
A link had been given to members to read on this new venture. Excell is a private company that would be allocated the use of a room in the Maple Surgery to set up equipment once a fortnight to carry out a wide variety of scans. It would provide 12 patient slots and this would be shared with other local surgeries; this was felt to be sufficient to cover demand. The advantages would be that results would be generated electronically, it would be quicker and there would be less travelling for the patient.
The first appointments will be ready to commence on 10 April.
There had been 90 DNAs this month. As from 1 April, the surgery would be sending a letter to patients who DNA. After three failed appointments the patient would not be able to pre-book appointments. This would be monitored carefully. CS asked if the system could be stopped if cancellation notice was given two hours before appointment. FM said they would do their best to do this. It was suggested that a notice to cover this should be put in the Bar Hill News with a prominent heading on the front page. JD would ask the editor about this as it was important for the village. Text reminders are being used with Monday appointments being reminded on the Friday before the weekend, but FM would be looking into this. JP asked if there was any provision made for elderly patients or patients with memory problems. This was not so at present.
This was being updated. DAH asked about the log in to the site, as this was not obvious and he was unable to find it .He had to go to online services, and once in, he found it all right. It is now possible to book an appointment to see a GP, and to order repeat prescriptions by email. He noted that Dr Irwin had not been given her title of Dr, just her name. The nurse cannot be pre-booked as this has to be checked first. FM said that if patients wish to use the online service, they should go to the surgery and ask; they would be given a user name and password. Proof of identification was needed; a passport or photo driving licence should be shown.
FM will be sending SMS message to all mobile numbers. JJ asked if this saved time, and the answer was that it was no help to the surgery, but helped the patients.
Transport leaflets were discussed. Hinchingbrooke Hospital still needs to be included. Options for X-ray were sometimes given at other places; Saffron Walden, Addenbrooke's Hospital and possibly Ely. Global Diagnostics (similar to Excell) were based at other local surgeries and various options for appointments there were being offered.
This was still under construction and was nearing final stages. Information was constantly changing. It was suggested and agreed that a link be put on the PPG web site.
CS had spoken to the manager at the Church with regards to booking, and Thursdays in early June are available. Thursday, 12 June, was decided on, possibly starting at 7:00 p.m. FM would talk to the doctors about various speakers and also talk to Weigh to Go. The headline had not been finalised but possibly 'Healthy Living' was suggested.
It should be published in the Bar Hill News as soon as possible and LMS will be asked if she could do this please.
Local slimming groups (Slimming World and Weight Watchers) will be asked if they would like to set up a table displaying items of interest. Also Simon from a local fitness group will be asked to do a short talk and perhaps some interactive exercise on the night.
The suggested programme hoped to include heart health, nutrition and exercise. Practice nurse EE could possibly administer blood pressure tests.
Refreshments would be served whilst people walked around.
Action: DoH will speak to Simon, Slimming World and Weight Watchers.
This was discussed and agreed that it would be advantageous. JP will provide a gazebo, garden table and a few chairs. We will need to organise a rota for helpers. Suggestions for activities include 'guess the number of sweets/peas in the jar' (JD offered a large soft toy as a prize), a stethoscope to listen to one's heart beat, etc. Other suggestions are welcome.
Action: A meeting will be arranged to discuss this further. JP will book the stall; she did mention that there is a fee but will look into that.
FM mentioned this local commission patient group and that they were looking for a representative from Maple Surgery. She asked if anyone from the PPG would be willing to represent the surgery.
Action: JP will look at what could be expected (where, when, times, etc.)
JP asked how to contact individual members of the PPG, permission, email, etc. DaH said he would check if this was on the web site. Members present had no objection to sharing this information or being contacted individually within the group.
DoH reminded us that Helen Collins (HC) from Happy Hours had been unhappy with comments about the surgery from some members of her group. It was felt that this was not appropriate for the PPG meetings, and FM agreed to contact HC directly.
There being no other business, JD thanked everyone for attending and JJ for the biscuits, and the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
The next meeting of the Executive Committee of the PPG will take place at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, 30 April 2014, in the TNT Room at Bar Hill Church. Tea and coffee will be served before the meeting, from 6:00 p.m.
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