PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
BISHOPGATE MEDICAL CENTRE
6TH December 2013
Present
Robin Bailey
Anne Beattie (Assistant Practice Manager)
Sandra Bland
Sheila Edkins
Philip Jackson (Practice Manager)
Eileen Mawson
Megan Smailes (Reception Supervisor)
Jeanette Woods
Lesley Zair
Apologies
Veronica Moreton
1. New Computer System (PJ)
Most of the practices in the town are transferring over to Systm One except
Willington and Barnard Castle. Our transfer date is February 19th. The week
before there will be limited appointments available to enable a smooth
switch over. SystmOne is much cheaper and should enable smoother
communication. Patients will need to re-register for online access.
2. Keep Calm and Stay Well (AB)
Uptake has been good. Three boxes of leaflets have already been taken from
reception.
3. Evenwood Practice (PJ)
Bishopgate are running Evenwood now. They don’t have an active patient
participation group, so we will invite them to join ours.
4. Call to Action (PJ)
These are the proposed government changes to improve the service and to
work together more. The packs including questionnaires were distributed
and Anne asked if we can return the completed questionnaires to the
surgery and she will send them all in.
Some of the new improvements suggest a dedicated GP for the over 75s
From April Paramedics will be able to bring patients to the GP Surgery if
necessary during core hours. The issue of how they are returned home has
not yet been resolved.
5. Telephone Changes (PJ)
There is a bid to stop using 0844 numbers so we now have a local number
01388 660990. We are tied into a contract for 4 years so are awaiting advice
about whether or not 0844 numbers will be banned. At the moment, if
callers get caught in the system, resulting in high phone charges, then Philip
will refund the money on receipt of the bill.
6. New Nurse Desk Arrangement (AB)
The desk is too tall so sometimes patients cannot be seen by staff in the
office. There is not enough staff to ‘man’ both desks. Also, it has been
impossible to keep the computer screens confidential in the nurse reception
area. Therefore, there will be one reception area now in the Doctors’ area
which will be ‘manned’ full time. Patients can still book in using the machine
in the Nurses’ area.
There is a problem with limited space between the desk and the automatic
doors but if more patients are encouraged to book in using the machine then
this should ease the situation. 1300 patients attend the surgery in a week
and we have 13900 on the books.
7. Care Quality Commission Visits (AB)
This is a new inspection procedure which is similar to Ofsted and conducted
at 48 hours notice. Practices must meet certain standards and a wide range
of checks. Many of the local practices have already been visited so
Bishopgate is expecting a call in the near future. Changes have recently been
made to document activities were happening already in order to provide the
evidence. For example, changing the backup tape every day. The inspection
team will ask to speak to 1 or 2 patients so members of this group may be
asked to meet with them. For more information on reports, visit
www.cqc.org.uk .
8. Christmas Opening and Saturday mornings (PJ)
Only closed for the Bank Holidays.
Since 17.11.13 the Clinical Commissioning Group has been funding a 17 week
pilot to open surgeries at weekends. The practice has to see an average of
35 patients per weekend. Nurse Practitioner, Charlotte Porteous is working
every Saturday and some of the Doctors are taking it in turns. Evaluation
questionnaires are available at reception.
9. Update on Doctors and Nurses (AB)
We now have 6 salaried GPs
Dr. Madhaven works 3 days a week
Dr. Carr works every day
Dr. Spencer works Monday at Bishopgate, Thursday at Coundon and Friday at
Evenwood
Nurses
Olwen Longstaff has reduced her hours prior to retirement and
Jackie Graham will do the same.
We have two new nurses Louise Aisbitt and Emma Knowles.
10. Feedback from Durham Dales Patient Reference Group (JW)
JW:
 explained how the DD PRG fitted in to the overall organization of the
Clinical Commissioning Group and shared a diagram which outlines this
 Shared a volunteer poster for HealthWatch.
 Invited people to attend the DDES Stakeholder event at Spennymoor on
13.12.13.
 Outlined efforts to co-ordinate the GP practice patient groups
11. Coeliac Support Group (PJ)
PJ advised us that a patient who has recently been diagnosed would like to
set up a support group. PJ is writing to approximately 30 patients to invite
them to get involved.
12. Care.data (PJ)
PJ advised that this is not happening until March and patients can opt out.
Please speak to PJ about any concerns.
AOB
JW raised the issue of patients attending hospital appointments only to be
told that they did not have their notes due to the ongoing process of
generating electronic notes.
RB advised us of the differences between Alcoholics Anonymous and the
Community Alcohol Services and asked PJ to display the leaflets.
SE asked if we could put Bishop Auckland General Hospital on the next
Agenda.