Park End Surgery - Patients Group
Committee meeting 25th June 2015
1) Members Present:
Christopher Mason, Peter Hallgarten, Norman Gilby, Jan Williams, Joanna Molloy,
Ann Mir
2) Apologies:
Mary Winner, Connie Smith
Staff in attendance:
Di Janus
3) Notes from April meeting
Agreed. Proposed: Jan; Seconded: Peter
Matters Arising
(a) Nicola didn’t pass her exam for the NMC..devastating news for her. She believes
she knows the question that would have caused the problem. She’ll sit the exam
again in July and we have high hopes for her success as she’s an excellent nurse.
4) Replacing Dr Irfana Gundkalli
Irfana is leaving Park End at the end of June. Partners have advertised the post and
our two current Registrars – Daniel Fenton and Kei Iizuka – will job-share the
position for 6 months. The contract is limited as we need to get some clarity about
practice funding before we can commit to a long term contract. Irfana worked 4
sessions a week; Dan & Kei will work 8 sessions a week between them.
This increase on sessions is because it looks like we will only have 1.5 Registrars
with us from August instead of the usual 4.
5) Patient Partner
The service is settling in after a few hiccups. This booking option is offered to anyone
telephoning the main surgery number. This service is also advertised on our website
and on the TV screen in the waiting area. To date, we have had 20 appointments
booked using this system!
6) Quick Access (QA) surgeries
It was noted that during March and April, there had been a significant increase in the
number of patients booking into the morning QA surgeries. When this occurs it is
problematic for patients who have to wait longer to be seen; it is also problematic for
our Doctors as their morning sessions over-run and merge into their afternoon
sessions. Practice staff had therefore organised an afternoon’s away-day to discuss
this and other important matters.
QA surgeries become busier when there are fewer routine appointments on the
system. The team looked at ways to increase routine appointments and arranged to
add a few more appointments to each routine. Reception staff were also empowered
to undertake a ‘minor triage’ of each patient requesting a QA appointment in case
they would be better routed elsewhere. We’ve also instituted a system whereby the
number of routine appointments offered in every week is analysed and recorded so
that we can better see any trends.
7) Our Patient Group submission to NHS England
Di reported that the report we agreed had been signed off by Maureen (co-Chair)
and submitted to NHS England. We await their response as to whether we get paid
this year or not!
8) PPG Newsletter
There was discussion regarding the articles to be included in the newsletter and it
was agreed to keep this first newsletter focussed on internal practice matters. Di
apologised that she had not been able to meet again with Christopher to draft the
first edition. They will meet before the next Patients’ Group meeting in July.
9) Camden GP Federation
The GP Federation is being facilitated by Haverstock Healthcare. Elections are
currently taking place to appoint members onto its new Board. They are seeking 3
GPs – one each from North, South and West. There will also be a Patient Advocate
appointed who should ensure that all Federation services are developed in
conjunction with the wider Camden patient population. Healthwatch Camden has
been commissioned to make proposals regarding patient engagement with the
Federation.
It was suggested that the patient advocate should be a term of one year.
10) North Locality Alliance
There was no discussion on this item
11) Any Other Business
Norman reported two items concerning the Royal Free Hospital
(a) As of 3 weeks ago, A & E attendances are being seen within 2 hours
(b) If patients need biopsies, they can have them done immediately and the
results emailed
12) Date of next meetings:
Thursday 23rd July 3.00pm at Park End Surgery
No August meeting
Thursday 17th September 3.00 at Park End Surgery