Notices

Well done to our wonderful team on raising £84 for Save the Children on Christmas Jumper Day 2024

Attendees: Dr Brown, Louise Armstrong, Debbie Bailey (South Durham Health Federation), CC (Age UK) John Kelly, (Social Prescribing Link Worker) GP, MN, MS, AS.

Introductions: Dr Brown introduced himself and explained that today’s meeting would follow a different format as we welcome guest speakers Charles Chapman and John Kelly.

Updates since last meeting:

Dr Brown told members that there has been little change since the last meeting. The main change has been that long standing receptionist Linda had now retired and that we now have 2 new receptionists in post.

John Kelly (Social Prescribing Link Team Lead.)

Dr Brown introduced John to the group. John explained the role of social prescribing link worker and how this service works hand in hand with the 3 GP surgeries in our PCN. John explained that the team can support patients with social issues such as housing, social isolation, debt management etc. Patients can be referred by their GP but can also be referred by other agencies or staff members at the practice. The team then help the patient to identify their needs and signpost them into the correct direction for support. MN asked John how patients know about this service and another PPG member stated this was something they did not know existed. Dr Brown explained that if a patient comes to him and mentions a social problem then he can direct them to John. John explained that posters had been put in all surgery waiting rooms and advertised on social media. John acknowledged that there is a group of patients who do not use social media or come into the surgery that may not be aware of the service and that this was a problem. He explained that this is where CC and the team at AGE UK can help. John also told patients about coffee mornings that are run at Peterlee and Blackhall. John was asked if there were any plans to run one of these at Horden. He explained that Horden had a lot of these already in place but that it was an area that they would be looking at next, to either visit existing groups or set up a group.

AGE UK County Durham

CC introduced himself and explained his role at Age UK County Durham. He explained that one of the projects that Age UK are working in is the Digital Inclusion Programme. This is a service that helps people over the age of 50 with technology training. He explained that they can visit a person’s home and help them to access the internet and train them on safe ways to use this. They offer one to one training and can also visit community groups. It was pointed out that a lot of people will not know about the service and CC acknowledged this and has asked us if we can begin to hand out leaflets to this patient group and explain what they offer.

Actions:

Louise to ask receptionists to actively promote the digital inclusion programme by asking patients if they use the app and if they express that this is difficult for them to signpost to the team.

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.

Attended by: Dr Brown, Louise Armstrong, EH, RD, PJ.

Introductions: Dr Brown introduced himself and explained that Louise as the new Deputy Practice Manager would now be assisting in meetings due to Christine retirement.

Updates since last meeting:

Dr Brown told members that he has recently became a GP Trainer meaning that we now have 3 registrars in the practice.  Dr Hashem and Dr Uwa have now moved to other practices, but Dr Uwadia will be staying with us until August.  New registrars are Dr Prabhuswamy who will be with us for 3-6 months and Dr Felix who will be with us until February next year.

Dr Jamieson has recently left the practice to work closer to home and Dr Koganti will be returning as salaried GP. This is in addition to Dr Abu who has remained at the practice taking up post as a salaried GP following completion of his training last year.

Our pre-registration pharmacist Jas has remained with the practice as a qualified pharmacist, and we have a new pre-registration pharmacist Nabiha.

Covid/Flu vaccinations:

RD asked if there was any talk about when the next covid booster would be.  Dr Brown explained that he thinks covid booster will probably remain just like flu vaccinations and be done yearly but that there is not presently a firm plan. We have however been continuing to give boosters throughout the winter, offering Saturday morning clinics which initially helped uptake but the numbers of people wanting vaccines is dropping. Louise mentioned that there has also been an effect on the uptake of other vaccinations such as shingles due to a lot of misinformation in the media regarding vaccinations.  Dr Brown also added that this is also affecting uptake of childhood immunisation and added that having an influx of immigrants registering with the practice is also impacting as vaccination schedules from other countries don’t always match up with our schedule.

Post pandemic working.

Dr Brown explained that we are still dealing with the impact of the pandemic and that although we are totally back to pre-pandemic way of working waiting times at hospitals etc are still very long.  He explained that a lot of surgeries have continued to work with mostly telephone consultations but that we are fully open and seeing patients mostly face to face.  He explained that due to the long waiting lists for hospital treatments we are often seeing patients coming back time and time again with the same problems.  Unfortunately, we feel this is something that will get worse before it gets better due to current situation with strikes etc. We are taking steps to improve access and have increased appointment numbers, especially for urgent on the day problems and the use of eConsult’s etc.

CQC rating

The practice is currently rated as “GOOD,” by the care quality commission.  The CQC are satisfied with the way the practice is running and performing and therefore decided to defer further inspection.  Due to significant changes in management, we were anticipating a visit but as of, yet this has not happened.

Any other business

RD asked if there had been a problem with medication shortages as he had read something about this. Dr Brown explained that there are numerous problems with medication shortages, and this is putting pressure on the practice as we often need to source alternative medications for patients.  Dr Brown explained that there has been a national shortage of B12 injections meaning we have had to adopt a different way of treating patients meaning they have 2 loading dose injections and then take oral supplements.

We discussed how we may be able to increase the group numbers, especially focusing on the younger population.  EH said that she has experience of running a nighttime PPG group and she found younger patients did attend.

Actions:

Dr Brown and Louise to discuss how we try and increase PPG numbers and how we can reach out to the younger population.

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.

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.

Well done to our wonderful team who raised a brilliant £82 for Christmas Jumper Day 2023

Please note: Both Sites will be closed for Staff Training on the following dates:

• Thursday 14 March 2024 from 12.30pm
• Thursday 27 June 2024 from 12 noon (cancelled)
• Thursday 25 July from 12.30pm.
• Thursday 12 September from 12 noon (reprovided from the June cancellation date)
• Thursday 26 September from 12.30pm.
• Thursday 24 October from 12 noon.
• Thursday  28 November from 12.30pm

Please contact 111 if you require medical care or 999 in an emergency.

Attendees:
Dr Gareth Brown | Christine Cain | LH | EO | EH | MS

Dr Brown started the meeting by discussing recent developments within the Practice. As we are a training Practice we have 3 GP Registrars with us at the moment, Dr Hashem being trained by Dr Brown, Dr Uwadia being trained by Dr Sahoo and Dr Uwa being trained by Dr Krishnan.

Dr Abu is now fully qualified and is going to continue working in the Practice. Jas Kaur the pre reg pharmacist is now a qualified pharmacist and will staying with us, Nabiha Ashraf is our new pre reg pharmacist.

Pearl Cusworth deals with adult mental health issues and Beccy Horwood deals with child mental health problems.

John Kelly is a Social Prescriber dealing with health and wellbeing in adults and Jade Hizzett is the social prescriber for children.

Paul Miller is our First Contact Physiotherapist who works between Horden, Blackhall and William Brown Centre

Covid vaccinations will be carried out at the Practice this year (Peterlee Site) and eligible patients will receive them in conjunction with their flu vaccinations these will start sometime in September.

Waiting lists for routine hospital appointments are at an all-time high but urgent 2 week wait appointments are still working well. There is an increase in patient demand and on-call work, patients are coming to their appointments with multiple problems and are taking up a lot more than the 10 minutes allocated, a double appointment can be requested, and this will help with the surgeries running late for other patients’ appointments. More clinical staff would increase the appointments, but unfortunately we haven’t enough rooms available. A change in the GP contract now offers appointments out of hours at the Hub in Peterlee Health Centre on a Saturday and Sunday. These appointments must be booked through the Surgery and is not a walk in.

CQC rated the Practice good the last time they visited last time but we are expecting another visit at any time although we have heard, this may be done over the telephone.

Dr Brown passed round the results of the recent GP surgery for all to see and we had very good results compared to some other local practices, although the percentage of patients getting to see their preferred GP was a bit lower but if something is urgent the patients should be prepared to see any GP if their preferred GP is full or on leave.

MS mentioned that Peterlee Surgery needs better disabled entry and also more disabled parking spaces. For the number of spaces, the small car park at Peterlee has, we believe it has the allocated number of disabled spaces. There is a ramp leading to the automatic doors at the Surgery. The building is owned by a consortium and managed by the landlord. We would be more than happy to pass on any suggestions for our patients.

EH suggested we have a board in the waiting room (You say we do board) to inform the patients when a suggestion has been acted upon. We feel this is a good idea and will look to implement something like this following the next meeting, where we will have more ideas.

EH suggested having a volunteer group set up to organise coffee mornings etc and also said she was involved in education sessions in the past where for example a tent was set up in the park where patients could call in and have their BP’s and bloods taken which can be useful in saving GP and Nurse appointments. EH suggested that some of the events we could ask patients for a donation towards equipment for future events such as BP machines.

Dr Brown suggested he could go to the local Andy’s man club to give a talk as he has been recommending the club to some of his patients and it would be good to know more about it.

Dr Brown suggested stop smoking/vaping sessions in secondary schools.

EH suggested informing patients of changes within the Practice by Facebook and in the waiting rooms and also suggested getting under 16’s more involved by perhaps organising meetings. EH also said she would be prepared to do some patient surveys in the surgery waiting room if that was something the practice required. We try to use our practice Facebook page to keep patients up to date with services and upcoming sessions, reminders for practice training dates etc, however, agree that changes could also be shared via Facebook. We also have TV screens at both sites and try to keep these up to date as well as our Facebook page.

Next meeting Tuesday 7 November 2023.

“Well done to our brilliant team and patients raising £250 for #macmillancoffeemorning on Friday 29 September. As well as lots of lovely goodies we had a raffle, donations and guess how many Colin the caterpillar faces 🥰”