Attendees: Dr Brown, Louise Armstrong, Michael N, Jackie S, Elsie H, Alan S and Margaret S
Apologies – Patient R and Patient G
Introductions: Dr Brown introduced himself as one of the GP Partners of Horden Group Practice. Introductions made from all present.
Updates since last meeting:
Dr Brown told members that there have been some changes in staffing since the last meeting. We now have 3 new registrars, Dr Somal, Dr OC and Dr Ojo. Dr Jide has now qualified and is working as a locum GP, Dr Alex has now moved onto a placement in Psychiatry and Dr Felix stayed on with us after he qualified but is now also moving on. We also have a new female GP Dr Altaf who has replaced Dr Koganti.
Vaccinations (Reviewed from previous meeting in February)
Dr Brown explained that we will be running a covid and flu clinic on Saturday 4th October to hopefully vaccinate the bulk of our eligible patients. Uptake of vaccines remains low.
Dr Brown explained there is soon to be a new vaccine for chicken pox as part of childhood immunisations.
Secondary care waiting lists
Dr Brown discussed there are still major 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.
GP Contract
Dr Brown explained recent changes to the GP contract and some not clear information regarding opening times. Core hours are 8-6.30 but we only in practice 8-6. We are awaiting clarification but do not think the practice needs to open 6-6.30 and only needs to provide an eConsult service.
Emergency appointments
Dr Brown asked for opinions from the PPG members regarding emergency on the day appointments. Whenever possible we try to offer appointments at a patients preferred site but on the day emergency appointments prove difficult if the on-call GP is at the other site. PPG members agreed that a patient should be offered an appointment at which ever site is available and if they can not make that site will need to call 111. We do however try to accommodate patient choice where possible.
CQC
We are currently still rated as a “GOOD” practice, no word from CQC regarding further inspection but it is expected any time.
Private Prescriptions
Dr Brown explained to members that patients who are using private companies for treatment are at times asking the practice to then prescribe the medication on NHS prescription. We explained that other practices have added a notice to their website to say they are not obliged to do this., Where possible and where safe this will be done on an individual basis but it not obligatory. PPG members agreed this is something we should add to our website.
He also discussed hospital medications that are being requested by patients to be administered in general practice such as treatments for osteoporosis, this is a 3 monthly injection and although would be more convenient to the patient the practice receives no funding for such appointment. There is a push back from the larger team to say no to this, but we feel it will be assessed on an individual basis as to whether we can safely manage this.
Ten Year Plan
The ten-year plan has a lot of grey areas; there is a push on moving services out of hospitals and into the community however not much information is available yet on how this will look in the future. We will update as and when this is available.
Next meeting
The next meeting is provisionally booked for 27 January 2026. Please let us know if there is anyone who expresses interest in attending future groups.
