Minutes of Patient Participation Group Meeting held on Tuesday 26th May 2015 @ 6:30 pm at The
Baldock Surgery, Astonia House.
In attendance:
Dr Keith Cockburn (GP Partner)
Alan Levy (Practice Manager)
Alastair McCallion (Vice-Chair)
Pat Salisbury
Don Salisbury
Liz Simpson
Apologies:
Dave Cordy (Chair)
Heather Good
Karina Goodship
Mike Horah
Michael Jordan
Marina King
Rosemary Lythgoe
Jane Munford
Michael Simmonds
1. Opening and welcome
a. The Vice-Chair welcomed all present and mentioned that Dave Cordy (Chair) has sent his
apologies as he is unfortunately not able to attend due to pressing family commitments.
2. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 23rd March 2015
a. The minutes were approved.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
a. Alastair reported that Dave attended a Home First meeting but due to his and Dave’s
commitments were unable to attend any other meetings/events. Alastair was not aware whether
there has been further contact with “On Your Doorstep”
b. Alastair noted that it may take up to six months for Dr Gosling to be informed whether she
would receive the research funding.
4. Liz Simpson - briefing on Hospital Quality Assurance Visiting Role
a. Liz explained that she responded to the email requesting Volunteer Quality Assurance Visitors.
The aim of which is to visit health providers who hold contracts with the CCG to monitor patient
experience. The visitors have informal chats with patients with support from the team and
provide feedback by way of structured reports. Liz has now completed her training and will be
part of the pool of volunteer visitors.
5. Friends and Family Test, complaints, compliments and suggestions feedback
a. Alastair reported that the surgery has received mostly positive feedback via the Friends and
Family Test and have received 14 complaints during the financial year 2013-14. The surgery
uses these to improve services. An example cited by the Alan Levy referred to a complaint
arising from a morning when one GP was running particularly late. The patient was concerned
about the lack of communication. Following this complaint the reception staff now monitors the
waiting times and once these exceed 30 minutes a receptionist would go to the waiting room to
apologise to waiting patients. Another F&FT comment referred to the difficulty a patient
experienced contacting the surgery by phone. Alan explained that he and other admin staff also
answer calls in the morning to assist with the initial rush of calls to book appointments.
6. Car parking
a. Alan reported that the changes have now been made to the car park and the situation is being
monitored.
b. A patient made a suggestion that when the three disabled bays are full alternative spaces be
made available to blue badge holders. This will be discussed at the next Practice Meeting.
7. Surgery development
a. New salaried GP. Dr Louise Randall
i. Dr Keith Cockburn reported that with Dr Parkinson’s departure the partners have
decided to appoint a salaried GP, Dr Louise Randall who completed her training at the
surgery and has also recently worked here as a Locum. She will take 4 sessions per
week and is on the so called “Retainer Scheme” geared at offering GPs part time
flexible working. Other options are also being explored to increase GP capacity within
the practice. We are a Training Practice and have recently been approved for another
six years.
ii. Dr Cockburn discussed the shortfall in GP trainees throughout the UK with specific
reference to this area, mentioning that there are more trainee places than candidates of
sufficient quality. He also mentioned that the same training system which applies to
GP’s, does not apply to Practice Nurses, many trainee nurses do not have exposure to
primary care during their training and there is no structured path into Practice Nursing.
b. Infrastructure
i. Alan reported that following the NHDC Planning Proposal and other pressures on the
physical infrastructure the partners have started a dialogue with the landlord to explore
ways to improve the premises and to explore alternatives to the existing site.
ii. The roof has been repaired and work is under way to improve the hot water supply in
the clinical rooms and toilets. Further work on replacing the carpets in clinical areas and
upgrading the waiting room furniture and in clinical areas also need to be undertaken
subject to adequate funding being available.
8. CQC inspection
a. Alan reported that this is due in the summer and preparation work is well under way. The PPG
will be involved in the visit. The visits usually last one day with about 2 weeks’ notice being
given.
9. Annual PPG report
a. Alan will draft a report.
b. Alastair reminded the meeting that Dave Cordy will not be standing for re-election and indicated
that he Alastair may, due to changing circumstances, be available however he also called on
other members to put their names forward. Liz Simpson said that, although she will be away on
the 28th July, she is willing to take up a role on the committee.
c.
Dr Cockburn mentioned that the PPG has the opportunity not only to look at the wider context
within which Primary Care is delivered but is also to initiate activates in the surgery. Liz
Simpson remarked that there are opportunities for Practices to liaise and to network.
10. A.O.B. None
11. Closure and date of the next meeting
a. The meeting closed at 19:40
b. The next meeting will be the AGM on Tuesday 28th July 2015