Patient Participation Group Forum

 

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

 

Patient Participation Forum – Tuesday 20th August 2024 

Attendees: TLCP: Jyothi Eregowda (Jo) (Operations Manager for Belmont Hill and Modern Hill Surgery), Paula Gordon (Supervisor MH)

 

Previous Meeting

  • JE reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting 
 

TLCP Updates

Paula asked if the new triage system had been used and if so, how the new triage system was going:

  • FT stated - it is brilliant, it has been very useful. FT has used the new system twice, received a text to book in a routine appointment and received a same day appointment another time. 
  • A patient friend to our PPF member has experienced issues with the call back service on the phones. 
  • Advised to please inform TLCP when experiencing any problems with the system as we can investigate the issue and report if necessary to ensure the smooth running of the service.

Carers Champion

TLCP recognises the importance of Carers.

A member of staff at each site will become a Carers Champion who will help to promote and support carers in the practice. 

We discussed some of the challenges carers face:

  • Some carers neglect their own health needs 
  • Older carers can face difficulties with the current technology 
  • Emotional strain
  • Lack of recognition and support 
  • Not being aware of entitlement or how to seek support 

Each site has a designated notice board for their Carers in the patient waiting area and welcome suggestions regarding ways we can help our carers and the information we provide. 

 

TLCP Constitution

  • The constitution was discussed at the TLCP wide meeting. At that meeting we discussed the queries regarding the constitution and collectively agreed the constitution has now been approved and no further changes will be made.  
  • The constitution will be reviewed annually. 
 

NHS App

  • FT is experiencing an issue with the NHS APP, previously FT has attended our digital hub sessions and received support from MH Champion but unfortunately, the issue was not resolved.
  • FT is currently liaising with the NHS APP support team but expressed that we all need to work together to essentially make identified issues be resolved faster.
  • We have asked FT to keep us updated with the feedback and explained that it is important for all patients to aware that GP surgeries/ TLCP did not create the app and therefore when staff members are trying to resolve issues they are trying their best with the knowledge they have. 
  • We understand the app tells patients to contact their GP surgery but when we try to raise an issue on the behalf of patients, we are informed the patient needs to contact them directly. 
  • FT has agreed to let us know the outcome of this ongoing issue.
 

GP Survey

  • The GP survey was emailed to all PPF members and no feedback was provided.  868 surveys went out and 208 surveys were returned. Therefore we had a 24% completion rate.
  • TLCP will run another survey and we potentially are aiming to have a higher amount of surveys completed, as this would provide better representation. This information will be at each site and on the website once finalised. 
 

AOB

Flu 

  • We will be offering patients the Flu jabs as we have previously, we will also be running a Saturday clinic but details regarding timings and location are yet to be agreed, when more information becomes available, patients will be notified accordingly. 
  • RSV: From 1 September 2024, those who turn 75 and those aged 75 to 79 (including pregnant woman) will be eligible for a free vaccine to protect them from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Physio service 

  • Our PPF member praised the prompt service. 
  • Question – can patient s have more appointments with physio while they await their MSK appointments?
  • It was explained the physio service is limited but the feedback would be passed on.

Blood test

Following the recent cyber-attack, we were informed we could go ahead and start processing blood test as of the 15.8.2024.  Patients whose blood test were compromised and urgent will be the priority. Currently there is a backlog but patients will be contacted if they are require to repeat their test. 

 

Next Meeting

  • TLCP wide meeting at St Johns Medical Centre. Thursday 31ST October 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
  • Morden Hill PPF meeting – Friday 22nd November 2024 at 4pm.