About the Patient Participation Group

What is it for?

We wants to ensure that patients are more involved in decisions about the range and quality of services provided by their GP surgery and, over time, commissioned by their practice.

We have set up our very own PPG (Patient Participation Group) to work with as many different patients as possible and make sure that the group is a fair representation of our entire patient population.

What are we doing now?

We want to seek views from our patients through the use of local practice surveys. 

We are now reviewing the input from the survey in Feb, thank to those that took the time to complete it.

SIGN UP TO THE PPG

Welcome

Anna began proceedings by introducing herself and her role as Acting Chair. As we have a few new members, we all introduced ourselves and our connection to the practice.

Terms of Reference and Aims

We touched on this to ensure everyone had received a copy and all those present signed a new Data Protection.

Update from the Practice

• HA updated on our new Clinical Pharmacist, Zainab, who has recently started with us one day a week in the practice, but who is also available to contact remotely.
• She deals with a lot of the prescribing issues, auditing, repeat dispensing and shared care. Ana, who was previously in this role, will be returning at the end of August.
• Dr Shiraz will return from her maternity leave at the end of April but on reduced days. 

Update from the PCN

• AH explained what the PCN is and that they meet 2 monthly online.
• IT systems seem to be the main focus at the moment. JP gave brief description of the systems currently in use and those we were moving to.
• There is also the WKPPG which deals with bigger issues.
• The subject this time was ‘Inoperability’ and the concerns of new housing developments and Care Homes being erected with no GP services. Puts more strain on the services currently in place. 
• AH did a brief summary of what other surgeries are up to. Otford are completely total triage. This brought about a conversation regarding how we book appointments here and the frustration of waiting on the phone. It was suggested that the message be abbreviated to save some time and adding appointments to book online.
• Members may organise a separate meeting to discuss how to enhance patient appointments.
• AH spoke about the Silver Sunday meetings she had attended, one at the Stag Theatre and one at the Leisure Centre. Health checks were offered and Health & Wellbeing Groups/Coaching. These are not well advertised at all. Discussed ways of making these more accessible to our patients.
• We had an in depth conversation surrounding the Newsletters and who and what should be included. 
• A full Newsletter will be sent out at the end of March, after the next PPG meeting.

Communication

• An information only Facebook page has now been set up, however it is not yet live. HA will work on this, collaborating with PPG members. This will be used for instant messages from the practice for admin purposes, promotion and such like.
• The NHS app promotes health and wellbeing which could be added. Amherst are willing to share what information they provide too.
• A discussion followed about how patients could contact the PPG. Some PPGs have a separate email address. HA explained the possible difficulties which could arise in breaching GDPR.
• The website could be updated to promote the PPG and the noticeboard outside be managed.
• It was suggested that we have leaflets in the waiting room and placing newsletters on the chairs, however Amherst have PPG members handing out leaflets during Flu/Covid clinic to promote themselves.    
• Different ways of communication were discussed and a suggestion that a reminder of the PPG be sent rather than a full Newsletter which some patients find difficult to open via email. The purpose of the PPG is to support the Practice and to represent the interests of the patients.

Schedule of Meetings

It was decided we would meet 2 monthly on a Monday. An agenda would be sent out a few days prior.

Points of Action

• To look at the aims of a PPG and bring forward ideas and updates for the Terms of Reference.

AOB

Not at this time.

Date of next meeting

Monday 10th March. JS will not be able to attend so SW kindly said she would take the minutes.