Patient Participation Group Meeting – Tuesday 18 February 2025
Attendees: Dr Brown, Louise Armstrong, Patient Michael N, Patient Elsie H, Patient A, Patient B, Patient C, Gemma Thompson (Social prescriber)
Introductions: Dr Brown introduced himself as one of the GP partners of Horden Group Practice. Dr Brown introduced Gemma Thompson as our new Social Prescriber/Care Coordinator.
Updates since last meeting:
Dr Brown told members that there have been some changes in staffing since the last meeting. We have recently employed a new health care assistant Sophie and long-standing staff member Nurse Sheila Ferris recently retired. We have also had changes to registrars, Dr Biondi has recently moved on and we now have a new registrar Dr Alex Tunwagun. Dr Jide continues with us until August and Dr Felix until April (Extended to October)
We also spoke about a new service which has recently being trialled within the PCN. DWP worker Michaela has been appointed and will work with patients around benefits, getting back into work etc.
Vaccinations
Dr Brown explained that we ran a successful Saturday covid and flu clinic and we vaccinated over 400 patients. He explained that uptake is continuing to decline around all vaccinations including childhood immunisations.
Secondary care waiting lists
Dr Brown discussed problems with waiting times for patients being seen in secondary care. He pointed out difficulties with patients who are waiting a long time to be seen by specialists in hospitals meaning they are frequently attending the surgery with little that can be done. Waiting times for assessments for ADHD/Autism are especially long and children are waiting up to 4 years to be seen meaning parents are presenting at the surgery asking for help and little can be done in primary care. Dr Brown explained problems in which private companies are being used for these patients under a right to choose but that the process is not deemed sufficient for diagnosis therefore follow up is difficult and NHS providers have decided not to prescribe medications to these patients.
Dr Brown explained that patients are frequently attending for a 10 min GP appointment with lists of problems meaning clinics can run late. He also explained problems with online bookable appointments which are not routinely screened and are being booked inappropriately.
Social prescriber/Care coordinator
Gemma introduced herself and explained her role. Gemma has been working with lots of patients around housing, social isolation, benefits etc. Gemma explained that the coffee mornings are taking place regularly and are available to all not just our patients. PPG members explained that maybe some patients may not know about this and discussed ways of extending the advertising may be through posters, having it on the surgery TVs etc. Louise will look into this (We promote this via our Facebook page and in surgery via posters – We will add this onto our TV screens.)
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.