Thorpe Road Surgery PPG

Minutes of Meeting 26.05.2017

Present:

SD, RD, MP, KC, JP, NP, NH (minutes and on behalf of the practice)

Apologies:

GC

Welcome:

Welcomed MG, who as well as being a patient of the practice is a new governor at North West Anglia Foundation Trust.

News from the Practice

  • New Associate Practitioner Nick has now started working independently and there is a slide on the TV screen to inform patients
  • The new bid for the extension has been submitted, with news expected in June with regards to next steps
  • There is progress with the BT contract– the surgery is no longer tied into a contract and has started seeking information from alternative providers. Both providers NH had spoken to were able to provide a call queuing system and call volume reporting as was originally hoped for.
  • The recent Cyber-attack on 12.05.2017 was discussed. While the practice was not directly affected, they were instructed at 4.45pm to shut down all computer systems immediately. Some patients had to be sent home as there was no access to clinic lists or patient records. Less than 10 patients were affected, and capacity was made for these patients to be seen on Monday. The surgery has raised some learning points with the CCG about the vagueness of the initial message, but thanked them for their hard work in getting the systems back online for Monday morning.
  • The HUB at Boroughbury was discussed. Demand seems very low and few patients are taking appointments there. It seems that a very small number of surgeries are utilising most of the appointments, which may be because they are using them for overflow rather than for patients who want to be seen evenings/weekends.
  • KC queried advertising of this service – The service is advertised on the TV screen in the waiting room, and reception staff are informing patients who say they are unable to attend for daytime appointments. There are also posters advertising it in Peterborough city centre.
  • There was a question sent in by GC regarding capacity to take on the extra demand generated by the nearby housing development. NH stated the surgery is making the best possible use of existing space, and will explote using space upstairs for telephone consultations in future if demand exceeds capacity, but if the surgery continues to grow at the current rate or higher, the extension will become a necessity. There is no talk of list closure.
  • NP asked if the practice had heard from Dr Ogunyoye since her departure – we believe she is currently doing some locum work.

Minutes and matters arising

  • Patient survey
  • Draft patient survey was agreed.
  • All suggested questions from PPG members were included, except one which was felt to be too intrusive (“If you are returning to see a preferred clinician, why?”)
  • Dates agreed 3-7th July, as this does not coincide with any GP or PPG member holiday. Shifts TBC.
  • Primary Care Strategy and presentation
  • RD feels the strategy document is sensible and underlines the chronic underfunding problems in the NHS. KC added that it also recognises issues with staffing gaps. NP feels it has important things to say about improving care for nursing homes and patients with numerous comorbidities, but is concerned by further talk of primary care at scale without specific information about how this would be achieved and what it would look like for patients.
  • Feedback to be passed to RD by next Friday (2nd June) please

Correspondence

  • Healthwatch enews
  • No specific feedback on recent bulletins
  • NAPP Newsletter
  • They are holding their AGM on 24th June. NP to update their listing of our chairman and secretary

Reports from other meetings that members have attended

  • Patient Forum
  • not attended
  • Healthwatch
  • There will be 2 Enter and View inspections over the summer of local practices, with the Accessible Information Standard at the top of the list of topics.
  • NH sent a complaint letter in March to Healthwatch Peterborough about the new online feedback portal, which the surgery feels is an unnecessary duplicate of NHS Choices, along with a number of other functional concerns. NP stated a response is anticipated shortly.

AOB

  • MG invited people to join the trust as public governors
  • Next meeting 22.06.2017