PPG Spring 2017 Newsletter

PPG Newsletter
Spring 2017
Introduction
Hello to all patients and carers of the Peel Medical Practice!
Here is the latest newsletter from your Patient Participation
Group, or PPG as we are usually called. As well as representing
you as Practice patients, we are also your voice. So do let us
know about your experience of the services the Practice
provides. You can leave a message in the Suggestion Box in the
waiting area, or with the reception staff for the attention of me,
Diane Lever, Chairperson of the PPG. Or you can email me on
[email protected].
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PPG Newsletter
Spring 2017
Dementia Friendly Initiative
Great news! The Practice, and PPG, has been accepted to join
Tamworth Action Alliance (TAA), the body set up to promote
awareness of dementia locally. We have all received training on how
to recognise and understand dementia and are now proudly
entitled to wear our “Dementia Friend” badge. We are the first
Practice in the town to join the TAA – another reason to be proud!
You will notice that the surgery interior has recently been
redecorated, and some of the walls are now blue. This colour was
chosen because it is one of the colours people with dementia are
most comfortable with.
We are holding a Coffee Morning on Tuesday May 16th (right in the
middle of Dementia Awareness Week) to raise awareness of
dementia and what each of us can do to help. Please do come
along for a coffee and some cake – there is no obligation to do
other than turn up! We would love to see you there.
Automatic Doors
We have recently had problems with the newly installed doors
which are currently being replaced and re-installed. Please bear
with us in the short term as we are doing all we can to ensure
your convenience, security and safety.
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PPG Newsletter
Spring 2017
New Staff at the Practice
As you may know, the Practice
is currently having difficulty in
responding to requests for
appointments as quickly as it
normally does. This is due to a
number of things, including a
rise in the number of patients,
and also a national shortage of
GPs. To deal with this, the
Practice is to take on two more
Nurse Practitioners who will
ease the pressure on doctors,
freeing them up to see more
patients. This situation is
widespread throughout the
country and not simply a Peel
Medical Practice issue. The
Practice asks for your
understanding and patience as
it continues to do its best to
meet patient needs as
efficiently as possible.
Feedback on the
appointment system
The Practice has been using a
new system for patients
wanting to make an
appointment to be seen that
day. The system has been in
place for some weeks and we
would now be grateful for your
thoughts/comments/
experience of using it. We have
prepared a short questionnaire
for you to complete, please
pick up a copy in the waiting
area or ask for one at
Reception. You can hand it in
at Reception when you have
completed it. Many thanks for
your help with this, we really
appreciate your time in letting
us know what you think
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PPG Newsletter
Spring 2017
PPG News
We were saddened to hear that one of our founder members, Ken
Roadknight, passed away recently. Ken was held in great affection
by the group and was an active and committed member of the PPG.
We shall miss him very much. We send our condolences to Pat his
wife and thank her for her past support of the PPG.
Other long-standing members of the PPG have now left the group,
and we thank them for the many years of service and support they
have given to the Practice. We have welcomed several new
members to the group and hope they find their participation
interesting and rewarding.
We are always looking for ways to make it easier for you as a
patient to have your say on issues affecting the Practice. We
communicate with a large group of patients via email, so if you
have recently changed your email address do let us know. Please do
take a few seconds to respond if you receive an email from us.
Are you aware that in addition to our website we have a Facebook
page available at Peel Medical Practice? This gives you up to date
information and current health news. You can also see your medical
records and test results by logging in on Patient Access.
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