The Museum Practice

Historic Minutes

These are historic minutes. The latest minutes can be read on the Patient Survey and Results page

Summary of Minutes of Patient Representative Group meeting 11th January 2012

Present TF, AS , FZ, KB, AM

Dr T Agrawal – at the end of the meeting

Apologies: RE

Meeting commenced with members introducing themselves. TF offered to fill the role of secretary for the group and it was decided that should a chairperson be required at any stage, she would fulfil that post as well.

Theresa was given papers relating to a PPG to give the group an idea of why they were being formed and what the purpose of the group actually was.

Dr A explained that there are a lot of changes taking place at the moment and the formation of the group is one way of getting the patients more involved in the running of the surgery. The group take any concerns they may have to the GPs and they in turn take it higher.

The group were asked which services, in their opinion, are satisfactory in the surgery and which require improvement. This gives people at a more local level a voice as to what services are offered and enables the group members to speak of their own experiences. Other people can be recruited into the group, this is something TF will pursue.

The first question for the participants is obviously whether they want to be part of this group. Most people were in favour but mainly due a sense of loyalty to the Doctors and the Surgery due to the help they have received over the years. It is a relatively small surgery (3400 patients) compared to say, Kentish Town which has some 18,000 patients, with 5 Doctors. The largest demographic is aged between 30 to 60 with some 400 patients aged over 65. The surgery covers 3 boroughs.

Suggested improvements that were mentioned during the meeting included:-

Reducing waiting times on a Tuesday as for some reason they seem to be longer than on other days;

Ensuring that the toilet is disabled friendly and ventilation improved;

Making drinking water available to patients or having a sign that informs them that it is available;

Fitting a stair lift to make the premises more disabled friendly;

Implementing the PharmacyFirst systems whereby patients do not need an appointment for certain drugs. They can hand a card to the pharmacist who dispenses the medicine and then informs the GP. This way a check is kept on what is dispensed to the patient.

Matters that the group felt were well done by the surgery include the opening hours and the relationship with the local chemist. Also, the availability of appointments and the waiting time to see a Doctor were very impressive compared to other surgeries.

Dr A confirmed that the GPs are concerned about the premises, in particular their inaccessibility to the disabled. New premises have been sought but to date, not found. This is perhaps something the group could help with ie local knowledge, local contacts (Freemasons, property development market, Bloomsbury Association, internet). The surgery has confirmed that we are unable to fit a stair lift or lift to lack of space. The Quality Care Commission are at present looking at levels of access for GP surgeries we believe.

Dr A further advised that should a Practice Nurse be employed, they would have to lose one of the doctors due to the number of rooms available.

Other matters raised included FZ mentioning his dissatisfaction with PALS at the UCH.

AM talked about the new white paper which deals with more treatment being carried out at the patient’s home as opposed to hospital. This is an attempt to minimise the number of people hospitalised.

The meeting ended with members agreeing to meet every three months. TF will be responsible for contacting two new prospective members and for organising the next meeting. Members will be contacted by TF one month before the next meeting and then again one week before to remind them to attend. Tentative date for next meeting 19th April 2012.

TF 13/1/12

PPG PRIORITIES

  • High satisfaction with opening times, access by appoinmtents and over the telephone. Surgery to maintain access.

https://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/GP.aspx?Pid=922B0AC2-42CF-4436-8A0A-C395B5C94A48&TopicId=7

  • Premises – to explore possibilites that would include disabled access and larger premises
  • To review Tuesday morning surgeries and waiting times.

 

Minutes of PPG meeting 4th July 2012

Attendees Grace D

Richard D

Alan S

Theresa F

The minutes of the previous meeting were discussed, with the main topic being the move of premises. The Practice was meeting with Camden Council in the next week in an attempt to identify suitable properties, preferably in the WC2 area. The Group were wondering whether there was a budget for rent and indeed how the Practice finances were calculated. Do outgoings come out of GP salaries?

Other issues were as follows:-

The reasons given by Dr Agrawal for not having a practice nurse were understood and it was good to know that the Practice has a Warfarin clinic. The Group wondered whether any other conditions could be monitored in this way?

With regard to the baby clinic, the Group were advised that double appointments are available for patients that wish to have their baby’s health checked.

The idea of telephone booked appointments which was raised at the previous meeting was not well received. It seems that a trial was conducted in the past however, the Group are not sure who was involved or who objected. It was suggested at the meeting that appointments could be made available by email. This again was not a very popular suggestion as not all patients are on email.

Application for various improvement grants was discussed. The only things that the Group could think of that the practice could apply for are baby changing facilities, an induction loop and alarms in each surgery room. The toilet is already disabled friendly.

The Group wondered how long the practice had before it had to change premises. Would a refurb be required before this date?

Are more patients required? Is the current figure of 3800 sustainable? How could we generate an increase if required?

Another point that was mentioned was the fact that all the GPs are female. Would male patients prefer to see a male GP? Could this be a cultural matter and one of the factors preventing new patients joining the practice?

The Group then discussed the fact that the GP has no input to when a patient was discharged from hospital. The Group are of the opinion that this should change and wondered how a change could be implemented. Cases of patients being discharged from hospital whilst still unwell are known to the Group. Could GPs make representation of any kind?

The next meeting of the PPG has been set for 10th October 2012 at 5pm. Theresa will again telephone all members prior to the meeting to remind them of the date and it is hoped that more members will be able to attend

 

? 10TH October PPG

Minutes of PPG meeting on 10th October 2012

Attendees: Richard D

Alan S

Catherine M

Theresa F

The minutes of the previous meeting together with the surgery responses were discussed. The main topic of the previous meeting was the potential move of premises and the methods whereby the practice was funded. The practice lease expires in 2013 and will probably have to be re-negotiated as new premises are unlikely to be found within this timescale.

It seems that to date, no new premises have been found. The rent relating to new premises has to be agreed by what was the primary care trust before any new lease can be entered into. With regard to income, this is generated in part by providing additional services ie warfarin clinic, teaching medical students and opening later. The practice also receives a ‘capitation’ fee for patients registered. Apart from the rent, most other expenses ie equipment, maintenance, staff salaries and furniture are paid by the practice.

The Group wondered whether further income could be generated whilst the surgery was not in use such as at weekends? Could the rooms be rented out for counselling or hypnotherapy sessions? Maybe to an alternative practitioner or the running of a Well-Man clinic? The therapist could maybe agree to see a certain number of NHS patients as part of the deal. Maybe a social worker could hold a surgery once a week to advise on benefits etc.

Making appointments via email was suggested and seemed popular however, before this can be achieved an upgrade to the present computer system will be required. This is anticipated to take place hopefully this summer.

At the previous meeting it was mentioned that all the doctors in the practice are female and that this could be preventing male patients from registering. Could the practice employ a male doctor? It seems that the practice is not recruiting new doctors at the moment and it just so happens that 75% of trainee GPs are female.

Another topic discussed was the fact that the GP has no input as to when a patient is discharged from hospital. This is particularly pertinent when the patient is still unwell upon discharge.

The surgery has said that they are working with the UCH on this subject and they would welcome any examples that we are able to give.

The Group suggested that maybe the ward sister could phone the practice and advise of discharge or maybe an email could be sent.

The Group then went on to discuss the fact that the PCT are due to disband in 2013 and were wondering how it affects the practice? How does the system work without a PCT and has the commissioning group been set up yet?

The low attendance at the Group meetings is of concern as it seems that interest is waning. Could we advertise the existence of the Group on the practice website? Could the receptionists hand out leaflets as each patient books in?

Maybe we could meet with another group (Kentish Town) to get ideas on how to make the group grow? Or advertise the fact that the Group exist in The Camden Journal?

The meeting finished with the next meeting arranged for Wednesday 16th January however this was then changed to Wednesday 30th January at 5pm

 

Minutes of PPG meeting on 10th October 2012

Attendees: Richard D

Alan S

Catherine M

Theresa F

 

The minutes of the previous meeting together with the surgery responses were discussed. The main topic of the previous meeting was the potential move of premises and the methods whereby the practice was funded. The practice lease expires in 2013 and will probably have to be re-negotiated as new premises are unlikely to be found within this timescale.

It seems that to date, no new premises have been found. The rent relating to new premises has to be agreed by what was the primary care trust before any new lease can be entered into. With regard to income, this is generated in part by providing additional services ie warfarin clinic, teaching medical students and opening later. The practice also receives a ‘capitation’ fee for patients registered. Apart from the rent, most other expenses ie equipment, maintenance, staff salaries and furniture are paid by the practice.

The Group wondered whether further income could be generated whilst the surgery was not in use such as at weekends? Could the rooms be rented out for counselling or hypnotherapy sessions? Maybe to an alternative practitioner or the running of a Well-Man clinic? The therapist could maybe agree to see a certain number of NHS patients as part of the deal. Maybe a social worker could hold a surgery once a week to advise on benefits etc.

Making appointments via email was suggested and seemed popular however, before this can be achieved an upgrade to the present computer system will be required. This is anticipated to take place hopefully this summer.

At the previous meeting it was mentioned that all the doctors in the practice are female and that this could be preventing male patients from registering. Could the practice employ a male doctor? It seems that the practice is not recruiting new doctors at the moment and it just so happens that 75% of trainee GPs are female.

 

Another topic discussed was the fact that the GP has no input as to when a patient is discharged from hospital. This is particularly pertinent when the patient is still unwell upon discharge.

The surgery has said that they are working with the UCH on this subject and they would welcome any examples that we are able to give.

The Group suggested that maybe the ward sister could phone the practice and advise of discharge or maybe an email could be sent.

The Group then went on to discuss the fact that the PCT are due to disband in 2013 and were wondering how it affects the practice? How does the system work without a PCT and has the commissioning group been set up yet?

The low attendance at the Group meetings is of concern as it seems that interest is waning. Could we advertise the existence of the Group on the practice website? Could the receptionists hand out leaflets as each patient books in?

Maybe we could meet with another group (Kentish Town) to get ideas on how to make the group grow? Or advertise the fact that the Group exist in The Camden Journal?

 

The meeting finished with the next meeting arranged for Wednesday 16th January however this was then changed to Wednesday 30th January at 5pm.

Minutes of PPG meeting 30 January 2013

Present : Theresa F

Grace D

Richard D

Alan S

Kate M

The use of the surgery during out of hours was discussed. The Group wondered whether the surgery could be used for things like hypnotherapy, massage, reflexology and reiki. The practitioners could be asked to provide some services free, under the NHS as part payment for the use of the premises. It seems that certain wards in the UCH employ the services of a faith healer which is very forward thinking.

The Members are concerned about the low turnout to the meetings despite all members being advised of the date well in advance. Many promise to attend and then do not appear!

One recruiting tool could be the concern felt by all members that the practice will have to move or that it could be forced to amalgamate with a larger practice. If patients feel that the surgery is under threat they may be prompted into action.

Two members know an artist and they are going to ask her to make a poster that can be displayed in the waiting room. Other publicity options are a mention in The St. Giles Handbook and an introduction to The Friends of Russell Square.

The Group previously mentioned the fact that GPs are often not aware that one of their patients has been discharged from hospital until sometime after the event. At a recent meeting at the UCH the CEO stated that they were aware of this problem and that they are working on it. One worrying fact is that often the patient is discharged with drugs that the GP is unaware of. One answer could be the hospital emailing the discharge letter to the GP.

Other matters that were discussed included the possible meeting with a group from another Central London practice, a community notice board in reception and the inefficiency of the Community Outreach Clinic. It seems that patients arrive at the clinic and numerous admin matters are disorganised including the wrong address being held for the patient. Could a physiotherapist come to the surgery maybe once a week?

The Group would like further information as to what the impact will be when the PCT goes out of commission. How will the patients be affected? Is the main impact the fact that patients will have more choice regarding their treatment?

The next meeting has provisionally been set for Wednesday 10th April 2013. This could be subject to change as the Group would appreciate Dr Agrawal popping into the meeting for a few minutes if available.

Date published: 21st November, 2014
Date last updated: 21st November, 2014