Dr. Angela M. Harley
Dr. Gina Palumbo
Dr. Nitin Rao
Dr. Richard Little
117/9, Walkergate, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 9BP
Tel: 01482 881298 Fax: 01482 861791
Practice Participation Group
Minutes of Meeting Held
Monday 1st February 2016
Patients Present: Barbara Fawcett (Chair), Tracey Westgarth (Vice Chair), Susan Heap, Doris Moxon, Andrew Hunter,
Janice Skelton, Pauline Connington, Dr Anthony Hedges, Barry Cox, Helena Coroneo, Clair Colley
Apologies: Mary Scaife, Jane Perkins and Keith Bridges
Staff Present: Dr Rao, Caroline Maw, Kathryn Gray, Moyra Kimpton and Ann Reynolds
1.
Welcome
Barbara welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Michelle Martin from the Care Quality
Commission (CQC) who are carrying out an inspection at the surgery tomorrow. Barbara asked everyone
to introduce themselves so Michelle knew who was who.
2.
Apologies
Apologies noted as above.
3.
Introductions
As recorded above in point one.
4.
Minutes of last meeting
Minutes from 05.10.15 checked and taken as read.
5.
The CQC Inspection and impact on the surgery
Michelle gave the group a general introduction and background of the CQC, what was involved for the
surgery and the 4 inspectors due tomorrow and also answered questions raised by group members.
Michelle listened to feedback from the group members about experiences at the surgery and CM was
delighted with the comments raised and will feed this back to the team.
6.
Proposed meeting date change in June to a Wednesday night
CM explained that this request was so Dr Little can attend that meeting. He does not work Monday
afternoons and does not live in Beverley so would mean him travelling back for the meeting. CM proposed
the 1st June and everyone happy with the change. Janice sends her apologies as will be unable to attend
that night and CM will record. BF said she had been speaking to Sue about the loss of the 4 th meeting this
year and they felt it might be good for group members to meet during the day somewhere other than the
surgery to still have a 4th annual meeting and this might then encourage young parents to attend if it was
during the day. No one felt this was a bad idea and some locations where suggested which group
members can look into and feedback at the next meeting if not before to BF.
7.
Patient Survey Results and action points
The survey had been carried out for the first three weeks in January, there were no target groups, the
surveys were simply placed on the reception desk for patients to take and return. Out of the 100 printed
during that period we had a return of 40% which Michelle said was about average for a response so the
group were happy with that. BF’s husband had collated all the responses and the outcomes were given to
group members and as the general outcome was all very good there were no obvious actions for future
planning. BF suggested everyone look at the survey and the results and we can revisit at the next meeting
as todays agenda is quite full. All happy to do this.
8.
Mammography Screening Update
CM informed the group of the actions taken since the last meeting with the mythbuster poster promotion
which is still evident on the noticeboard. The Screening Unit had confirmed that several ladies had been
since the campaign with a 2% increase in our figures. Everyone at the surgery is keen to continue the
promotion and we hope that the increase will improve our figures for the next round in 3 years’ time.
9.
The Future of Walkergate Surgery
CM spoke to the group about the way the NHS is going and the protective factors we are trying to put in
place as we do not wish to become part of big conglomerates in the future, and group members agreed.
Acknowledging the failed merge two years ago she informed the group that the partners had been
approached by the partners of Greenwood Avenue surgery to look at another merge and this has been
agreed in principle. The Partners will join pretty imminently with a full merge in the future. This will open
up access to a wider skill mix of clinical staff and GP’s as the GP’s will work in all surgeries and patients
will, in the future, be able to be seen at all sites. The staff had been informed and everyone was very
positive about this move and the group seemed quite positive about the process too. Dr Rao spoke in
depth about the way the NHS is moving and we are being told by NHS England that we would need to have
a list size of 10,000+ to be able to continue without threat which we are keen to do. CM was pleased with
the positive feeling in the room and informed all members if they had an questions or queries which came
to mind after the meeting that they could contact her to discuss further. A poster will be put up to notify
patients when things are confirmed and/or further information is available.
10. Zero Tolerance Letter for review
CM circulated a letter that she has written and has been approved by the partners, for everyone to look at
and give feedback as regards the content before it is put into action. CM said she anticipated the letter
would be used for a very minor number of patients but wished to know if everyone was happy with the
content as her first concern is her staff and it has been acknowledged lately that some patients think it is
acceptable to be rude and swear at staff, which it is not. The group agreed the letter was very fair and
totally agreed that it should be used for the minority it needed to be sent to.
11. Any Other Business
Missed appointments – BF asked if many patients missed appointments and asked how much
it cost the surgery for them? Dr Rao said there was no monetary cost to the practice but it is
annoying when people do not attend, especially when there are patients wanting
appointments. CM agreed to carry out an audit for the next meeting to look at figures and
decide if any action was felt necessary by the group.
Paying for appointments – BF had read in the paper how this may happen in the future. CM
and Dr Rao both said they could not see this happening and they had not seen anything about
it in official documents from NHS England.
Care Home Visits – BF said she had also read how GP’s would be stopping visiting patients in
care homes and Dr Rao reassured this would not happen and our partners, and nurses, do
visits patients when needed in their own homes and care homes alike.
NHS Health Checks – CM was asked how people accessed these and how they were informed
they were entitled to one? CM informed the group that the scheme is run by the local council
and they held clinics at the Leisure Centre. As far as CM knows patients receive letters inviting
them to attend and other members said they had received letters in the past.
No other business was put forward and the meeting was declared closed at 7.30pm and next
meeting confirmed as Wednesday 1st June 2016.
UPDATE on CQC Inspection – Michelle has asked me to pass on her regards to everyone at the group and
to thank you all for your welcome and to say how much she had enjoyed the meeting. She told the other
inspectors at this visit about the meeting and the positive attitude of you all and your obvious enthusiasm
for the surgery and staff alike.
Date of next meeting: WEDNESDAY 1st JUNE 2016 with refreshments from 6pm for prompt 6.15pm start