Patient Participation Group Meeting – Wednesday 19th August 2015
Those Present:
Roy Magee
Mark Magee
Harry Baker
Anne Green
Apologies
Isabel Hyde
Lisa Phillips
Candace Padmore
1. Welcome
Anne welcomed Mark to the group. Mark has very kindly agreed to join the
PPG and we welcome his input and views as someone representing our
younger population.
2. Website
An update was then given on the website. This had been hacked in to at
some point on Sunday 26th or Monday 27th July. Patients had noticed and
alerted us to the fact that they had been unable to order repeat prescriptions
or book appointments online. The site had been built in-house by the previous
Practice Manager and the PPG had been asked a few months previously to
review the site and content with perhaps a view to altering it.
The site has now been disabled with a message re-directing patients on how
to order scripts and book appointments directly through EMIS Access.
Decision has been taken by AG to shut the site down as all back of files are
infected. A new website is currently being built by a company called My
Surgery Website. PPG looked at proof of new site and all felt it looked clear
and easy to negotiate. This should be up and running within a few days.
PPG have been asked to look and comment on content of new site as we will
be able to add to it whatever is felt relevant. Roy commented that it may take
at least 24hrs once site is completed for migration to take place.
MM felt that most patients used the site purely to book appointments or for
repeat prescriptions and was not something that younger patients would go to
as a point of reference. They were more likely to use social media or NHS
website information.
3. Friends and Family Test
AG discussed Friends and Family Test (FFT) which has replaced GP survey
this year. Results from the FFT were shown to PPG and comments
discussed. Overall ratings were:
June 15 Number of responses 31 Overall Rating 5/5
Recommend surgery to family and friends
Extremely likely 90%
July 15 Number of responses 84 Overall rating 5/5
Recommend Surgery to Friends and Family
Extremely Likely 73%
It was noted that no patients had responded online.
The PPG will continue to monitor the feedback from patients
4. Patient Participation Group
It was discussed that although we continue to publicise our PPG on the
practice web site, plasma screen and new patient leaflet we have only had
two new people join our group. An email address is being used
[email protected] and patients are encouraged to comment with ideas and
suggestions via this as it has been recognised that face to face meetings are
not convenient for some of our patients. No feedback has been left on this site
to date.
5. Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) PPG
Harry Baker is a member of the CCG PPG and had attended a meeting that
week. Harry has the role of PPG dementia lead and has discussed this
previously with Dr Roberts. Harry commented that while he felt his knowledge
of dementia was limited, this was an area attracting a lot of attention both by
the Government and the press at the moment. He is happy to support clinical
staff in this role in any way they felt appropriate.
Harry also raised the point that Downing Street Group Practice had a large
and very active PPG run by a patient. Open forums were held and regularly
and attracted up to 40 patients. AG will look at how this is achieved and what
measures we can take to attract more input from patients.
The CCG PPG had also discussed the overuse of antibiotics and Harry
suggested that we aim to get our patients views on this. AG mentioned a
campaign and literature which had been given to patients earlier this year in
an aim to educate patients on the taking of antibiotics. AG to look at a way of
canvassing patients views on the use of and prescriptions of antibiotics.
6. Staffing
AG gave an update on staffing at the River Wey since the retirement of Dr
Hugh O’Donnell. A new partner will be joining the practice in October and a
new salaried GP is due to start at the end of September. Further details are to
follow. Roy asked how patients would be allocated to new doctors and it was
acknowledge that some patients may not want to change from a GP they were
used to seeing. AG stressed that whoever patients had as their usual GP they
were always able to see whomever they would like to at the practice. Roy
reiterated this saying that a routine appointment with any doctor could be
given within a few weeks but it may entail a longer wait if a specific GP was
requested.
7. Electronic Prescribing (EPS)
The date for Electronic Prescribing has been confirmed as Friday 18th
September. Patients are encouraged to nominate a pharmacy of their choice
as soon as possible. Anne explained how another pharmacy could be
nominated as a one off, if patients needed a script while on holiday, business
or visiting in another part of the country. It is hoped that the switch over goes
smoothly and results in a quicker more streamlined service which is auditable.
Scripts will be send electronically to designated pharmacies and remove the
need to issue paper prescriptions.
8. Medical Records
A pilot is soon to be undertaken where medical staff at The Royal Surrey
County Hospital will be able to view a ‘read only’ copy of patients EMIS
records. Anne stressed that this is with patient’s verbal consent only unless a
patient is unable to consent and then a decision would be taken in their best
interest. More detail on this will be available to patients once the project goes
live.
Roy then asked how the data on his medical records is backed up and where
this was held. Anne explained that encrypted back up tape was taken and
stored off site at the end of each day. There are plans for all data to be
backed up on a remote server but this is not happening at present
9. Appointments
Anne asked for feedback on the new appointment system which has been in
place for a couple of months. The new system aims to releases up more
appointments bookable in advance within a couple weeks and has just a few
emergency appointments bookable in the morning and afternoon each day.
Most of patient feedback on this had been positive but we are aware that
patients had been used to phoning on the day for an appointment whether
urgent or nor. Anne stressed that if urgent, patients would be given an
appointment or phone call on the same day.
Roy had experience of the new system and had had quite a long wait but said
he was aware this was because he wanted to see a specific doctor.
The online booking system was discussed.
Mark felt that if he needed to see a doctor he would rather talk to a
receptionist than book online. Also pointed out that a lot of younger patients
do not attend unless really necessary, often having looked for advice
elsewhere- amongst friends or online, and therefore were making
appointments only when really necessary and wanted to be seen quickly.
Anne Green
21st August 2015