Patient Participation Group Meeting Minutes – 7 November 2023
Attended by: Dr Sahoo, Christine Cain, Louise Armstrong, EH, RD, PJ, LH.
Introductions: Dr Sahoo introduced Louise as new Deputy Practice Manager and explained that Christine would be retiring at the end of the year after 36 years working for the practice. We welcomed new PPG member RD.
Updates from last meeting: EH asked if anything had happened regarding a board being displayed in waiting room to show how the practice is responding to patient suggestions from the group. Christine explained that this had not yet been done but would look into it. Dr Sahoo pointed out that space is sparce in waiting rooms due to amount of posters etc. Louse suggested that a better idea may be to put this on our Facebook page following the PPG meetings. EH mentioned coffee mornings and volunteered to help with these. Dr Sahoo pointed out that there is a coffee morning either monthly or fortnightly at Blackhall and that these had been very well attended and that there were talks to extend these to the Peterlee area.
Staffing updates: Dr Sahoo explained there have been some staffing changes recently although staffing is mainly stable. There will be changes due to Christine’s retirement and Louise taking over as Deputy Manager. The practice now has 3 GP trainers and also 3 GP registrars (GPs in training). He explained that by being a training practice it brings new GPs into the area and by training within the practice it is hoped that they may wish to stay working in the area as a GP as Easington area has difficulty recruiting GPs due to most living cities and not wishing to travel. He explained there had been some staff shortage recently due to sickness and covid but that this seemed to be settling and hopefully that will take the pressure off as we move into winter pressures.
Covid/Flu vaccinations: It was discussed that the practice has been delivering covid and flu vaccinations and that we have been running Saturday clinics as it is impossible to do them all in practice hours without effecting patient care. PJ mentioned that he had been for his vaccines and congratulated the practice on running a very smooth vaccination programme and he felt it ran like clockwork due to the staff all pulling together to make it work. Dr Sahoo asked that this praise was conveyed to the nursing team and staff involved.
PCN Updates: Dr Sahoo explained what the Primary Care Network (PCN) is and what it is made up of. He explained that we work together with William Brown Centre and Blackhall and Peterlee Practice as part of the network and provide patients with access to social link workers, first contact physiotherapists, first contact mental health workers. It was explained that the PCN patient group meeting was taking place after this meeting and patients were free to stay behind and attend as representatives are needed from all 3 practices.
Any other business: Christine asked the patients if they preferred to be contacted by letter or text regarding the next meeting. EH explained that text is probably better as can respond to say if attending. Christine recognised that some patients did not have mobile numbers and would send them letters.
RD spoke regarding the new developments in patients accessing records and that he felt that it makes patient care two tiered as patients who could not access internet would not have the same access than those who do. Dr Sahoo pointed out that this is a government level decision and that he agreed it had a lot of problems, but it was something that we will need to work with and deal with issues as they arise.
Dr Sahoo spoke about how the practice had removed patients due to their behaviour towards staff and that we are operating a zero tolerance of these behaviours. He said that this seems to have calmed down and he is finding we are seeing less of this behaviour recently. PJ pointed out that the reception staff should be congratulated on their work as they always try their very best to accommodate patients and EH agreed that she finds the reception team very calming and professional in comparison to other practice teams she has had contact with. Louise to pass this onto reception staff.
Staff well-being is a big priority at present and a team building afternoon was arranged where staff went bowling and for a meal. This was a big success and was enjoyed by all staff and hopefully we can arrange similar events in future.
Actions:
Louise to pass on congratulations to staff for providing a well run covid/flu programme and to admin staff for always trying their best to accommodate patients and remain calm and professional under what can be a very pressurised environment. Louise/Christine to update Facebook page with any suggestions that have been taken from the PPG and to show what action has been taken.
Next meeting TBC:
The next meeting date will be agreed shortly, and we will send this out via text to those with mobile numbers or letters for those who don’t. Please let us know if there is anyone who expresses interest in attending future groups.