PPG meeting minutes AGM May 2022

Draft

Welcome from Flavia Leslie - Chair

The chair of the Woodlands Patient Participation Group, Flavia Leslie, welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from committee members Stewart Lilly, Dermot Paddon, practice manager Kathryn Hall and thirteen others. There were 20 attendees in addition to the PPG committee and speakers.

The minutes of the last AGM were circulated and approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Sam Buckley

There has been no movement in the account, which is held at the Nationwide Bank. The balance is £178.84, with cash £50. The auditors are D. Tisdale.

Election of Officers

The chair person, Flavia Leslie, was re-elected, proposed by Babs Capps and seconded by Mary Harrison. Other members of the committee are: Wendy Price (Vice Chair), Kevin Fitzgerald (Secretary}, Sam Buckley (Treasurer), Stewart Lilly, Dermott Paddon, Babs Capps, Mary Harrison, Gaynor Thomas, Catherine Watsham.

Representatives of the practice are currently Dr Lucy Wilson, senior partner, and practice manager Katherine Hall

Report from Chair

According to the Patients Association, the role of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) is ‘advising the practice on the patient perspective and provide insight into the responsiveness and quality of services’. The PPG works with the practice and is a ‘critical friend’. For example a matter often discussed is that many patients have found it hard to contact the practice. Some have not been able to make an appointment when they would like. Matters were particularly difficult during the height of the covid pandemic. Access to services has been made worse by the explosion of housing development in the Didcot area, which has not been accompanied by additional health facilities. The PPGs of the three Didcot practices have worked with MPs, district councillors, Healthwatch and others to improve this situation.

Presentation from Healthwatch

Emma Teasdale of Healthwatch explained that Healthwatch supports the Patient Groups and Primary Care Networks. It is an independent charity which was set up in 2013 to listen to and strengthen the collective voice and is an information service provider and commissioner. Healthwatch intervention lead to an NHS dentist for Didcot and automatic car number plate recognition for the John Radcliffe Hospital, for example.

Presentation from the Practice

Dr Alex Hart explained that Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were set up in July 2019 and are a collaboration between GP Practitioners and to ensure communication with the Integrated Care System (ICS). (ICSs are partnerships of organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services). The three Didcot practices are in one Primary Network. PCNs cannot employ people or hold contracts but can support some staff such as diagnostic (but not treatment) physiotherapists and pharmacists. Giving covid vaccinations at the civic hall, organised by the three Didcot practices, was a great success, with more than 51,000 people treated.

Dr Hart mentioned that the population of Didcot was 45,984 on 1 January 2022 and is expected to rise to 48,000 by the end of 2022. It is likely that the Practice will have to close their list at some point in the near future.

Dr Lucy Wilson said she had been senior partner since December 2021.

Medical recruitment is a national problem, but Dr Wilson mentioned that Dr Dewhurst had recently joined the practice and another GP will be joining in August. There have been a number of reception team changes, including 6 new receptionists over the past 6 months.

There are not enough rooms or car parking spaces at the Medical Centre, despite some consulting being on line.

Views from the audience.

One committee member reminded the audience of the elderly and others having problems with dexterity and IT use. Dr Hart agreed that such people may be among those who need medical services the most. Another member of the committee expressed an interest in a holistic approach to healthcare and the use of support groups.

Any Other Business, date of next meeting and close

The chair asked if there were any other questions, thanked everyone for coming and thanked our speakers. The next Patient Participation Group meeting is expected to be in July or August, at a date to be arranged.