Brechin Health Centre Patient Participation Group (PPG)
Summary of Meeting held on Tuesday 9th August, 2016 from 6.45 – 8.15pm in Brechin Health Centre.
Present:
Mavis Leask, Patient Representative (PPG)
R Clark
Kirsty Elgin
Muriel Wyser
Jimmy Mitchell
Muriel Longmuir
Joy Mowatt, Patient Representative (PPG)
Karen Anderson, Patient Representative (PPG)
Taletta Jamieson, Patient Representative (PPG)
Eric Gray, Patient Representative (PPG)
David Walker
Pamela Thomson, Patient Representative (PPG)
Jean Bell, Patient Representative (PPG)
Dorothy Close
Michael Close
Donna Whitton
Kerry Dalgetty, Patient Representative (PPG)
Rhona Guild, Primary Care Manager (PPG)
Apologies:
Mairi Evans, MSP, Patient Representative (PPG)
Grahame Lockhart, Patient Representative (PPG)
Norman Mackenzie, Patient Representative
Action
1. New members welcomed and apologies noted.
2. Note of meeting of 26th July approved.
3. Practice Update
Rhona advised the group that GP staffing levels had improved, with Dr Mahon having returned to work in the practice as a locum and a further GP seconded from OOH service. Dr Penny Lockwood has been appointed and will start 15 hrs per week in the practice from October, normally working Thursday and Fridays. A further GP is being interviewed on the 16th August, which Joy Mowatt will participate in as a representative of the PPG.
Lengthy discussion followed about the national issues related to GP recruitment and retention and the difference between salaried and locum doctors.
Approaches to recruitment were discussed and in particular how we could promote Brechin positively to potential candidates. The group highlighted many of the positives including the new community campus, the access to the outdoors and the relatively low house prices. We discussed involving the school in development of a series of photos or videos about Brechin that could be included in practice website to promote Brechin. Kerry Dalgetty to speak to headmaster at school regarding progressing this. KD
Rhona also advised that a further Advanced Nurse Practitioner was in the final stages of recruitment to the practice with an advert out for a third Advanced Nurse Practitioner. The group asked for some explanation re the nurses’ roles within the practice with Rhona explaining:
· The healthcare assistant was not a registered nurse, but a support worker who was trained in particular tasks such as venepuncture.
· The practice nurses were all registered nurses who had completed additional training in specific areas eg Shirley and Denise deliver the anticoagulation (warfarin) service in the practice.
· The advanced nurse practitioners are registered nurses who are educated to an advanced level to assess, diagnose and treat presenting conditions, including prescribing. There are nationally agreed levels of training and competence for nurses before they can be called an advanced nurse practitioner.
The group asked that nurse roles be a feature in a future newsletter to increase understanding of what the nurses can do. RG
The reasons for stopping the open access clinics were discussed with Rhona making the group aware that the clinical triage had been positively received by the majority of patients as it aimed to support patients only having to call the practice once when they were seeking assistance, with many matters dealt with by telephone avoiding lengthy waits in open access. It will be some time until, with sufficient salaried staff, consistent appointment systems can be implemented, with a focus meantime on ensuring patient safety and the best use of available capacity.
The group discussed some public resistance to sharing information about their clinical condition with reception staff. Rhona highlighted that the scrip developed for reception staff invites patients to share the information and patients can refuse to share. However, where they do provide some basic details this helps the clinical team to gather information and prioritise the response accordingly. Joy also reminded the group that reception staff work under the same confidentiality agreements as the clinical members of the practice team and therefore must treat information in confidence.
Patients highlighted problems with the phones yesterday with the phones appearing to ring through. Rhona advised the group that a new phone system was on order to enable better call handling within reception and reduce time patients have to hold for a response. RG
4. Review of draft patient information leaflet re accessing test results
A draft leaflet was shared. This has been sent electronically to the group, but it appears that the last email did not reach all group members, which is concerning given a group distribution list is used. Next email will come with a read receipt to allow us to verify everyone has received email communications. RG
The leaflet was approved with some minor changes with agreement to add recognition this has been developed in conjunction with the patient participation group. RG
It was agreed to run a local competition to encourage youngsters to draft a logo for the PPG, with Kerry agreeing to discuss with headmaster of the school. KD
The leaflet will be tested and reviewed with feedback welcomed. The PPG members were congratulated on completing the first improvement identified and progressed by the group. The group asked that something be included in the next newsletter regarding this. RG
5. Appointment of Chairperson
Rhona advised that Joy Mowatt had thrown her hat in the ring with regards the Chairperson's position which the group endorsed.
Taletta Jamieson has offered to be Vice Chairperson which the group endorsed.
Rhona to share Terms of Reference with draft minute for all group members to review and thanked Joy and Taletta for coming forward. RG
6. Patient Information Events
Rhona advised that following the success of the April event a series of information events were being planned within the practice initially covering dementia, chronic pain, managing medicines and planning ahead. The group supported this and felt that these should be trialled if possible on both a Saturday morning and early evening to review uptake.
7. AOCB
Joy advised that the Scottish Rural Partnership was hosting an event on 6th-8th October and proposed PPG engagement. This was supported by the group.
Joy asked that further information be provided about potential alternative care models, alluded to by Dr Russell at the last meeting for consideration at future meetings. Rhona to discuss with Dr Russell and can support from a local context being involved in all Angus related practice developments. RG
Joy also suggested the PPG consider participating in Bravo events. Discussion followed about how we took the positive messages regarding Brechin out to the local communities with everyone invited to offer suggestion. All
Pamela highlighted that the current phone book had inaccurate information regarding Brechin Health Centre. RG
The follow up meeting involving PPG representation and wider locality stakeholders regarding the wider health & social care agenda for Brechin was discussed with agreement that when dates were provided PPG members would be identified on the basis of their availability.
8. Dates of Future Meetings
Tuesday 30th August 2016 from 6.45 - 8.15pm in Brechin Health Centre. (Apologies from Rhona who will ensure practice representation in her absence. Her office will support Joy in agenda preparation and one of the group will take a minute).
Tuesday 27th September 2016 from 6.45 - 8.15pm in Brechin Health Centre.
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