Patient Participation Group

 

The Allum Practice have an established Patient Participation Group.  This Group consists of volunteer patients who contribute some of their time to the development of the Practice.

About the PPG

The aim of the Group is to hold monthly meetings to promote co-operation and strengthen communication between the Practice, patients and the wider community for the benefit of all.  It will be a forum for constructive discussion in areas such as health, improvement of services and other topics determined by the Group.

Our Practice has an active patient group with over 12 members. The PPG operates on a voluntary basis, meeting every three months with members, a GP partner and members of the management team.  During these meetings, we discuss patient-related issues and encourage patients to take an active interest in their healthcare.

The National Association of Patient Participation lists the following aims and objectives of a PPG

  • Giving patient and health professionals the opportunity to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest.
  • Providing a means for patients to make positive suggestions about the Practice and their own health care
  • Encouraging health education activities within the Practice
  • Developing self-help projects to meet the needs of fellow patients

Further information can be obtained from the PPG notice board in the Allum reception area where contact details are available. If you have any subject that you would like to discuss please contact Paul Doherty (PPG Chair) via The Allum reception.

Latest PPG Minutes

  • Date: Monday 10th June 2024
  • Present: Dr Surinder Seehra, Donna Naran, Gill Charters, Fiona Davison, Keith McCarthy, Paul Doherty, Willard McCarty, Amy Aburadawan, Atif Riaz, Sundara Suhasini
  • Apologies: Veronica Linday-Addy, Chizzy Akudolu

Paul opened the Meeting welcoming everyone.   Donna Naran the Allum’s new practice manager introduced herself to all members.

Apologies for absence:  Veronica and Chizzy

The Minutes of the last meeting were distributed and seconded.  It was agreed that these would be published on the Allum website for patients to see.

Communication was the first subject on the Agenda.  In Veronica’s absence Willard read an e mail forwarded to him from Veronica outlining issues concerning results not being sent to patients automatically.

Dr Seehra said that this would not be doable as results can come in at different times especially when more than 1 test has been requested.  He said that it is normal for patients to wait 7 to 10 days before results should be in and only abnormal results are relayed to the patient. Receptionists can give normal results. There were a number of questions in Veronica’s e mail and it was decided to put on Agenda for next meeting where Veronica can clarify. 

Discussion then took place around access to clinical staff and the current situation.

Dr Seehra discussed the appointment system.

  • Appointments are always available on the day from 8am
  • Priority slots are given to over 75’s and under 5’s. Over 75’s slots are held until 10:30am per day and then released.
  • eConsult on website – ability to request an appointment
  • Pre-bookable appointments released midday every Tuesday – details to be added to new website (agreed).

Willard pointed out the difficulties in using websites because of 1) critical attention to their design is seldom exercised, and (2) users, especially the old and sick, are ill-equipped to navigate them and handle their infelicities.  Gill let members know that we have a new website and all members were invited to log on and point out any difficulties they encounter on accessibility and a user friendly experience. 

Atif mentioned that he liked the way the appointment system worked before i.e. morning appointments and then afternoon appointments.  Dr Seehra said that patients were unhappy being told that they would have to call back again in the afternoon to request an appointment which also put strain on reception staff.

Fiona wanted to discuss the importance of patient – doctor relationship and continuity of seeing the same doctor.  Dr Seehra stated that patients are entitled to ask for a specific clinician but if that clinician was not in then another suitable appointment with a different clinician would be offered if the patient could not wait to be seen.  The reception staff should try to accommodate patients where possible. Dr Seehra directed that suggestions about getting the same doctor be put online and in phone messages - that it is up to the patient to cultivate the relationship.

 

AOB

Atif noted the development of automated mechanisms (‘chatbots’) to answer standard questions from patients on an Ap – i.e. WhatsAp.  It was noted that this would be a problem in healthcare as patients might use this for health concerns which would be missed by a computer generated ‘AI’ response.

The Meeting closed at 5:45pm.

 

Next Meeting

Monday 16th September 2024 at 4pm hours at The Allum Medical Centre