SHROPSHIRE WALK IN HEALTH CENTRE

WHITEHALL PATIENT GROUP MEETING

9th April 2015

Agenda Item / Comments / Action
Present:- (JMB) (HJ) (KH) (AL) (JT) (GA) (MH) (PR)
1. / Welcome and Apologies
Apologies:-(WW) (JH) (PB) (LB) (AJ) (CV)
2 / Chairperson
As it had been a while since the last meeting no agenda was prepared for this meeting. IKH welcomed everybody returning to the meetings and the new member that had attended for the first time. Explained that as everyone new the Practice has changed now that the walk in service has moved to the Urgent Care Centre. The Practice now has the name Whitehall Medical Practice. This was favoured as it was already the name of the Patient Group and a number of the group were asked their opinion. KH said that the Patient Participation Group (PPG) really needs to belong to the patients and that they take ownership. To this end JT was put forward as Chairperson of the Group and this was agreed.
3 / Patient Involvement
KH stressed that the group was for the patients and for them to share ideas on improving the service at the Practice, helping fellow patients, sharing information. KH informed the group that a board had been placed in the waiting area for the PPG to use to display information that they think would be useful to the patients. This could be used to highlight services such as Dial-a-Ride, Red Cross Young Carers etc. The board is there for the members of the PPG to take control of. PR questioned whether people actually bother to read notice boards and it was stressed that they need to be kept appealing, up to date and attractive and people would read whilst waiting. JMB explained that we have a new Health Care Assistant CV who has a good eye and talent for displays and she will help out with keeping the board appealing. / ALL
4 / Suggestions
Ideas for services that could assist patients in the Practice were discussed. AL suggested possibly setting up a service of Volunteers for driving patients to and from hospital / GP appointments. It was suggested that a notice was put in the waiting room asking for volunteers. Pros and Cons of this were discussed, including reimbursement of petrol money – a suggestion was put forward that the PPG may be able to raise money to fund this. HJ reminded the group that volunteers would need the DBS (formerly CRB checks). JT said that perhaps she could get some of the team from Dial-a-Ride to provide some training in getting people in and out of cars etc. AL mentioned that with the range of Practice the patients take on there would be a very diverse need for support. The group were going to go away and consider what would be needed to launch such a scheme and also ways in which to see if there was enough of a need within the Practice. JT said she could probably find a list of community drivers and bring that with her next meeting. / ALL
5 / AOB
JT mentioned that she is going to take part in the Shrewsbury & Atcham Patient Group; however she was unable to attend the last meeting they had but plans to attend the next meeting they hold.
AL commented on how important the PPG is with regard to the CQC inspections – KH agreed and said that at the time of inspection the Group would be more than welcome to attend.
HJ asked about the Practice Boundaries. KH explained that fromJanuary2015, all GP practices in England are free to register new patients who live outside their practice boundary area. Information regarding this can be found on NHS Choices website.
This means that patients are able to register withpractices in more convenient locations, such as a practice near work. These new arrangements are voluntary for GP practices. The practice will decide, following a review of a completed registration form, whether to accept someone as a regular patient or accept someone without home visiting duties (if it is clinically appropriate and practical for someone to be registered away from home).

HJ asked why this couldn’t still be a walk in centre. KH explained about the funding and changes happening around the Country – Urgent Care Centres are being co-located with A&E departments. AL commented that it was not the Practice’s choice to split.
HJ commented that he never sees anyone waiting in the waiting room now – JMB/KH explained that ideally patients are seen as close to the time of their appointment as possible and therefore there should not be a need to be waiting. At times with various clinics on, such as the Midwife’s ante-natal clinic, the waiting room will be busier.
AL wanted to say that one of the main reasons for joining the Practice was the front line staff. GP receptionists are notorious for being awful but here the reception staff are always helpful, no matter what. PR agreed and commented that “whomever is on the desk you always get good treatment” AL relayed how he had spent some time in hospital during which time he should have ordered his repeat prescription. When he came out of hospital he needed certain medication straight away and came in to the Practice to see if they could help and he said 2it was no problem, receptionist and clinician sorted it straight away as I waited” KH reminded the group that it is possible to put feedback on the Practice website on NHS Choices. AL agreed as he said that the CQC judge on this sort of thing and they should be made aware.
JT mentioned that the Wrekin Practice does not offer the same quality of service. KH explained that this was mainly due to the ever increasing list sze and this is being addressed with Commissioners and NHS England.
JT said she would compile a list of useful numbers to go on the PPG board.
Comments were made regarding the signage – JMB explained that it was being addressed with the Estates Department and that hopefully they will be changing the signs soon.
The timing of the meetings was discussed. It was thought that every 2 months would be suitable, especially as the PPG display board needs to be maintained. JMB explained that staff members did not have to attend each meeting but we could provide the meeting room for when the Group wanted it. JT Asked about access to the building during the weekend now and JMB explained that it would have to go to the Landlord and their security services as we do not have access to open and close the building ourselves. It was suggested that perhaps in the future other venues could be used to hold the meetings at times that are more suitable to those that work.
AL recommended PR as Vice-Chairperson – for the odd times when JT cannot attend.
6 / Date and time of next meeting
Thursday4th June 5.00pm