|
SONNING COMMON HEALTH CENTRE PATIENT
PARTICIPATION GROUP MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 13 MAY 2008 Present: Veronica Treacher, Elizabeth Bartlett, Jim Smith, Eric Wyatt, Sue Burton, Christine Fatemi, Vera Butler, Chrissie Phillips-Tilbury, Dr Ronay, Glen Higgins Apologies:
Janet Austin, Barbara Baxendale From last meeting: GH confirmed that the baby clinic would be moving to the village hall from early June. The hire of the hall is being funded by the PCT. Hopefully the change of venue will allow more space, better facilities and new opportunities for the clinic.
Dr R explained the background to the changes in
recent years for the out of hours service and the recent robust
initiative by the government to extend gp opening hours outside of the
core hours of 8am to 6.30pm Mon-Fri.
In response to the patient survey carried out by the Dept of
Health, SCHC will be opening on Saturday morning.
We are also open on Wednesday evening from 6.30-8.30pm.
The aim of the DoH initiative is to provide a better service
for working people who can find it difficult to access gp services
during the working week. Dr
R explained that the majority of appointments would be pre-booked with
a few walk-in appointments. Once
these are taken, patients will be advised to contact the out of hours
service or contact the surgery on Monday depending on the urgency. The
surgery will be staffed by one gp and one receptionist and no other
services (e.g. dispensary/nurse/blood taking/hospital links) will be
available. JS commented
that the Wednesday pm surgery is not widely known and we should
advertise it more widely. He
also felt that we should try to keep the Saturday clinic free for
it’s target audience. GH
& Dr R felt that this would be very difficult but will give it
some thought. E-Mail consultationsJS suggested that gps could make more use of e-mail with patients. His own experience showed that by contacting Dr Burnett by e-mail, he was able to forewarn him of his problem and thus save time at the appointment. GH confirmed that it is not SCHC policy to give out gp e-mail addresses but it is at the individual gp discretion to do so. Dr R pointed out that e-mail is unencrypted and personal details may be at risk by using e-mail. She also pointed out that with a lot of part-time gps, an e-mail might be unread for several days if sent to an individual gp.
JS commented that when a patient is discharged from hospital, they are given their discharge letter which may have vital information for either them or the gp. His concern is that in a slightly muddled state, the patient might not realise the importance of this and felt that it would be a good idea for the gp to contact the patient. Dr R & GH confirmed that the Royal Berks hospital send the discharges to the surgery immediately and the gp is aware of the diagnosis, procedure, medication and any action concerning the patient. Regarding contacting each patient, Dr R commented that whilst this would be something we would like to do, time does not always permit this and the gp needs to limit contact to those patients where this is necessary. CP-T felt that patients had to take some responsibility for their own health. GH commented that RBH are improving the communication between gps and themselves and have appointed a gp liaison manager who is very proactive. The flow of information in now very fast in the majority of situations.
CF asked if there were any new initiatives regarding hay fever, as there are now so many sufferers. Dr R explained that there is a new by mouth “desensitizing” treatment but that has to be taken for 2 years and which has as yet limited data so we are not recommending. She confirmed that patients need to start taking their medication before the hay fever season starts. There used to be an injection but this is no longer widely used as it could cause problems with the adrenal system. We normally run an article in the newsletter but should probably do this earlier in the year.
VT very concerned about recent experience when terminally ill friend, wishing to die at home was unable to obtain an out of hours visit from a doctor. Measures put in place by RBH & other agencies to deal with patient’s request but badly let down by out of hours services. Patient’s wife subsequently complained to PCT about the poor service and lack of doctor availability to deal with palliative care patients. Apparently only one GP available after 10pm to deal with much of south Oxfordshire area. As a result of complaint, chief executive of PCT wrote to wife to confirm that a palliative care service would now be available from out of hours with specialist doctor on call who will attend all palliative care cases needing attention. VB also commented that out of hours services are not very satisfactory as on a recent experience, she was asked to go to Abingdon which is the south Oxon centre. For confirmation, the out of hours service at Townlands operates from 1830 – 2300 Monday to Friday with a GP in attendance from 1900- 2200 and on Saturday and Sunday from 0800-2300 with a GP present from 0900 – 1400.
VT raised question about polyclinics. GH confirmed that it was a DoH initiative by Lord Darzi to set up ‘one stop shop’ clinics throughout the country to provide services 24/7 to patients. Clinics would be staffed by gps and nurses all of whom would most likely be employed by private companies. The Oxfordshire polyclinic is likely to be in Banbury. There is no suggestion that there will be a polyclinic in south Oxfordshire. EW expressed concern about the use of centrally held patient records with particular reference to the confidential nature of the gp record. JS took a different view and felt that if information was more widely available, this might benefit the patient in certain circumstances. Dr R suggested that a ‘smart’ card with a patients details, held by the patient might be a better option as the patient would hold the information. GH commented that the plan for centrally held records was well behind schedule although patient name and address data is currently held centrally. Patient may choose to opt out of having any data held and can write to the practice requesting this to be added to their record. CP-T confirmed that she has done this and has seen it on her gp record.
VT extremely concerned that the sale of Bishopswood sports ground to a private company was yet another example of the reduction of a previously public resource which could be used by the community for sport etc. Felt by many that in current climate of encouraging people to live healthier lives, this was a backward step. CP-T, who is a member of the parish council, confirmed that the sale had been very strongly opposed by some members of the parish council but carried on a majority vote. In her opinion, any planning application for the site is likely to be opposed and she invited people to become involved with the parish council to make their voices heard.
GH to write newsletter article. HK suggested we should ask library and One-Stop to take copies for Sonning Common residents as newsletter not distributed within the village. Patient and public involvement meeting at Watlington If any members attend, please could they report back at next meeting.
----------------------------------------------------- South
East Oxfordshire Practice Based Commissioning Group INVITE
YOU To a Patient and Public Involvement Forum An opportunity to discuss local healthcare issues including rural transport in South East Oxfordshire On Thursday 12th June 2008 From 7.00 – 8.30 pm At Watlington Memorial Club, 20 High Street, Watlington Chair: Dr Andrew Burnett RSVP Mrs Cathy Ronald, The Bell Surgery, York Road, Henley-on-Thames Phone number 01491 – 843250 or email Cathy.Ronald@nhs.net Date
of next Patient Participation Group meeting
changed to
© 2008 Sonning Common Health Centre |