Patient Involvement Group
Church Street Practice, The Health Centre,
Mably Way, Grove, OX12 9BN

MINUTES FROM THE AGM OF PATIENT INVOLVEMENT GROUP,
Church Street Practice, Mably Way, held on 12th November 2009

Present: There were approximately 70+ patients attending. May Paul welcomed all present and thanked them for attending on a cold, wet and windy night.

1. Committee Apologies

Apologies were received from Jan Ralston.

(2) Treasurer’s Report

Balance at bank £271.50. Copy of accounts attached.

(3) Diabetes Group

The Treasurer, Jean Sutherland, also assists in the running of this group and is the PIG liaison officer. This group started on 2nd December last year and is held on the first Tuesday in each month between 2 and four o’clock. It is held in the Health Education Room. Talks including diet and exercise, practice counsellor and podiatrist have been held. There are group discussions which are helpful to newly diagnosed patients. Proposed meetings next year will include Dr. Jonathan Levy a consultant in diabetes and a meeting with specialist diabetes nurses.

Also, as Editor of the Newsletter, Jean was pleased that we had received more letters recently but would like would like more input from patients and also helpful hints on coping with long term conditions.

(4) Staphylococcus Aureus (SA)

Christine Lisi related how Dr. Kyle Knox, a consultant at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the Department of Infectious Diseases and an Oxford GP, had seen our PIG site on the internet and got in touch with May Paul with a view to having our input into the proposed study of SA. It is known that approximately 35% of the general population carry this bacteria on their skin; what is not known is the genetic factors of SA. Dr Knox came to the Health Centre in 2008; our discussion centred on the logistics and ethics surrounding the study and patient confidentiality. We gave our view as that of patients. The study is now underway and Dr Knox visited us again in June of this year. Several practices in the county were selected and patients are now being recruited. They are required to take a nasal swab at intervals. The study is being well received by patients and staff.

(5) A day in the Life of Church Street Practice

Sue Hannon edited this document which has been read all over the country and as far wide as Australia! It is now in several libraries. It was well received by our PCT. They donated £325 to assist with the production and also Co-op gave £250. Our grateful thanks to these organisations. Also our thanks to the Practice, especially Sheila Dearman, for their complete co-operation in this venture.

(6) Future of PIG

May Paul/Sue Hannon: PIG is now 14 years old. We need to think of new aims, to share views and ideas. May gave a brief overview of what the group had achieved. Two Committee members attend the Practice meeting once a month. (Dr. Bryan extended this invitation to any patient wishing to take part). It was noted several patients had visited the website. Ideas for projects are (a) another health day, (b) more self-help groups, (c) is the appointments system understood and working well for patients (d) letting patients know of changes within the practice and (e) repeat prescriptions, could these be better organised. It is planned to have an informal open committee meeting in the next few weeks. People who were interested in being involved in making suggestions etc were invited to “sign up” so that they can be informed of the date etc.

Our thanks to Sheila and her staff for the assistance given in printing the Newsletter.

(7) Speaker – Dr. Paul Bryan

Two items he wished to talk about – changes in the Practice and Practice Based Commissioning (PBC). Change: Dr Mark Drury and Dr Phillip Ambler both retire next August. Mark is the lead on Diabetes, Cancer and e???) terminal care. Phillip’s expertise lies in the health and care of eyes Dr Bryan paid a warm tribute to these two highly experienced and valued GPs Between them there is some 60 years experience of GP work, They will be much missed by patients and staff.

We shall need a strategy to replace these doctors. Dr Matthew Gaw is our new Partner.

PBC: This is the Department of Health initiative in which PCTs are allocated monies to distribute wisely in their particular areas, purchasing hospital services and drugs etc. Our group consists of Didcot, Faringdon, Abingdon and Wantage. Representatives from each area meet on a regular basis to decide on how the money should be spent. A cardiology monitor has been supplied to each practice and also an instrument to determine brown skin marks and moles on patients. Two areas they would like to cover are physio and psychological services. The PCT is going to be reconfigured.

Are there any questions?

Q. What are the Practice views on introducing a programme of screening for women, say over the age of 55, to detect osteoporosis at an early stage?
A. It would not be cost effective. It should be targeted for patients at risk. It may well happen in the future but not everyone over 55.

Q. There are a whole range of new drugs available why are they not prescribed?
A. PCTs are guided by NICE – hospitals will have their own budget, the supply for GPs will be PCTs. The PCT is £240m in debt so money is very tight.

Q. Why is the Health Centre closed all the weekend?
A. Dr Bryan sympathises with this question. If it is open to everyone it would mean about 40 patients attending; this would be too much for skeleton staff. We could possibly screen patients; however the Government would want normal hours.
(It appeared that most patients were happy with ‘out of hours’ service).

Q. How many applicants are we likely to get for the posts vacated by Drs Drury and Ambler?
A. It varies with the economy. A year or so ago there were many GPs seeking posts but numbers have now dropped. Things may change in the next few months.. We have a new partner in Dr Gaw. Ideally we would like another Partner to replace Drs Drury and Ambler. A salaried doctor works prescribed hours, possibly 9 – 5 (not a Partner).

Q. Why do receptionists ask such personal questions?
A. Sheila (Practice Manager) explained that questions need to be asked in order to point the patient to the correct nurse or GP. If a particular GP had been asked for then this is at the discretion of the receptionists’ strict guideline training, especially at this point of time with swine flu’ etc. However, the receptionist should not ask too personal a question.
Dr Bryan reiterated that it is necessary to guide patients to the right channel to either see nurse or G.P.

Q. What happened to the so called ‘super drop-in practices’?
A. These are more viable in built up areas, such as possibly Banbury and London.

Q. Dr Bryan had a question for us! What would we feel if in 5-10years time the Practice considers joining with Newbury Street Practice? With Newbury St having expert GPs on certain health problems and Church St on others, it would make sense to share expertise. As already pointed out, Dr Ambler is retiring but NS are having an expert ophthalmic GP. It is something to consider and bear in mind for the future.

Q. What is the latest on swine flu?
A. The first phase of vaccination has started. The practice had received 500 doses and more (1500) were on order. There will be several phases according to age and health priorities.

Q. Would it be possible to have a receipt acknowledgement when ordering prescriptions on line.
A. This suggestion will be looked into. Sheila thought it a good idea. When repeat requests are sent by email, one can use the read request system.

Q. What plans are being made re provision of medical services in the light of new housing? What impact will the growth of retirement homes have on the Practice?
A. Dr Bryan and Sheila said that there were no plans!

Q. Could we as patients show our appreciation to Drs Ambler and Drury?
A. PIG will arrange this.

May Paul closed the meeting by thanking Dr Bryan and everyone for attending on such an awful night.

The meeting closed at 20.50 hours.

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