Meeting minutes – Mill Street Medical Centre Patient Forum
Date: Tuesday 3rd September 2015
Attendees: Geoff Almond, June Cannell, Virginia Griffin, David
Watkins, Jackie Kells, Dr Hilary Flett, Alan Keenan, Sue Carey, Glynn
Jones, Mike Bamford, Nicola Cartwright (Acting Deputy Head of
Medicines Management, St Helens CCG)
Apologies: Kathryn Campbell, Sue Moore, Jan Featherstone.
1. Minutes from the last meeting 1/6/15 were corrected (Item 3)
then agreed as a true record.
2. Geoff introduced Nicola Cartwright, who went on to explain her
role in the CCG (Clinical Commission Group):
The objective of the Medicine Management team is to reduce the
amount of money spent on prescriptions. St Helens is already in
deficit by £6 million. An agreement is to be reached across
Merseyside to decide which drugs are to be used.
How can this be achieved?
The team of pharmacists and technicians will:
 Visit each GP practice weekly to look at patient records and
review medication. They will be looking to ensure:
 Patient’s medication is up to date and only necessary drugs are
prescribed.
 The most cost effective option drugs are being used.
Doctors will:
 Prescribe 28 days medication only.
 Target antibiotic prescribing (National objective to reduce the use
of antibiotics).
 Drugs will be removed from the repeat list after a few months if
not requested (but not from medical records).
What patients can do
 Discuss any problems with medication: if there is problem or
something doesn’t suit, talk to your doctor.
 Only order repeat prescriptions for the drugs needed.
What the PPG can do
 Raise awareness by the electronic news board, Newsletter, and
hold a waiting room presentation/provide information.
3. The “Care at the Chemist” scheme was discussed. The scheme
enables patients who receive free prescriptions to go directly to a
pharmacist and request medication for minor ailments. E.g. nappy
rash, head lice, coughs, colds, thrush and Calpol. Patients need to
register at the surgery to use this scheme.
4. Geoff suggested that music should be used in the waiting room
to mask the noise from the Pharmacy. A licence will be needed
and a hearing loop for the deaf.
5. The frequency of the PPG meetings was discussed. It was
considered that 4 times each year was adequate and an
emergency meeting could be held if necessary. It was also
suggested that having a “guest speaker” was of benefit to the
group.
6. David raised his concerns that patients who have had major
surgery are not contacted by a GP from the practice. Dr Flett
explained that this is accepted practise and that frequently the
doctors are not kept informed by the hospital. It is the hospital’s
role to plan the discharge which will include care and medication.
7. Dr Flett informed the group that the practice are actively
looking to recruit a new GP. This will help with appointment
allocation.
8. Glynn raised the issue of accessing the website to book an
appointment or order a prescription late at night. Only two
appointments can be booked even though one may be with the
nurse. Sue explained that there is some “down time” for patient
access, as the system needs to be backed up and perform other
tasks. This is carried out late at night.
In addition, Glynn pointed out that there are not enough
characters in the “additional message box” when ordering
prescriptions to explain any problems clearly. Sue explained that
the surgery can be contacted by email using a direct link from the
website.
9. The Flu jab programme is to begin Saturday 19th September.
10. It was confirmed that the DID NOT ATTEND figures that are
recorded and displayed monthly are accurate.
11. The group discussed patients’ blood and other test results
being accessed from the web site patient’s page. Sending results
by text is being considered.
12. Virginia has received very positive feedback from a number of
patients about the excellent service received from the practice.
13. Feedback, following an appointment, communicated by text
messaging was discussed. A number of the group had taken part
in the survey. This is a government initiative for GP practices to
collect patient opinions.
The next meeting will be held 18:00 Wednesday 9th December 2015
JK 8.9.15.