PPG Minutes: 18th November 2024

1. Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced and particulary welcomed the new Practice Manager, Chris Taylor. She also introduced one new member from Manzil Way and two from Ivy Close 

2. Minutes of the last meeting

Agreed as a correct record following the addition of 2 people as attendees.

3. Matters arising from the meeting

3.1 Social Prescriber

• Currently, this post is filled by one person working two days per week. CT reported that they are hoping to make it a full-time post. 
• A proposal was made to set up an online forum for carers, many of whom are unaware of services available to them. EM offered to draw up a two-point proposal, one for a zoom meeting for carers with input from experienced social services representatives, and one for a befriending group either online or by telephone to be facilitated through the Social Prescriber.

3.2 Website

• At the previous meeting, it was agreed that the I/T manager would be asked to change the instruction regarding booking appointments through the NHS app. This facility is not available but the information has not yet been updated. A request to ask new potential new patients to input their full post code when applying to join the South Oxfordshire site has not been implemented either. 

4. Patient Communication

• Patients are unable to book an appointment more than two weeks in advance. This creates difficulty when GPs wants a follow-up appointment after an initial consultation. CD said that in these circumstances, patients can ring the practice and be put on a waiting list for a particular GP and a particular time frame and reception will contact the patient when a time is available. 
• It was noted that opening times for the surgeries are not kept up to date on the website. Dates and times of practice closures for staff training  should be recorded. It was also noted that a couple of people had telephoned the surgery but nobody answered. The Chair asked members to make a note of the date and time of the call so that this could be looked into. 

5. Site Reports

Manzil Way

• Nothing to report. 

Ivy Close

• The surgery is now open full time following summer closures due to staff shortages and training needs.  

Lake Street

• There was another ceiling leak in September from a drainage pipe. This has been repaired, but there is still an overhanging wire that has not been fixed. Annaliese Dodds, the Oxford MP, has finally received a response to a complaint to NHS Property Services who own the property. They have committed to inspect the property bimonthly. 
• The external CCTV should now be operational. 
• The fence needs to be repaired and it was proposed that Restore, based in Manzil Way, could be approached to see if they might be interested in the work. Restore, provides skills training for people with mental health/psychiatric problems/learning difficulties. 
• The Council is piloting a scheme whereby some of the roads near the surgery will be closed to cars at school drop-off and pick-up times. This could cause difficulties for patients coming to Lake Street for early or mid afternoon appointments. Dr Doan reported that a registration system similar to the one in use at Manzil Way will be introduced.  

OBU

• A team is up and running. Dr Doan is the lead GP for the Oxford Brookes. Students may be registered both there and at home. There is a very supportive Students’ Union. 

6. AOB

• GC asked why St Bartholomew’s did not offer the Autumn Covid vaccination. Many patients were confused by the invitation to attend for a flu vaccine and had expected a Covid vaccination at the same time. It was felt that there was insufficient communication from the Practice regarding what was available. Staffing issues may have resulted in not participating in the Covid vaccination programme as it takes much longer to administer both vaccines. 
• In response to a question regarding a recent government decision to increase national insurance payments for employers and to increase in the living wage, CT said that it will have an impact on the Practice. Trusts are allowed extra money, but not GP practices although this is all under discussion. 

7. Date of next meeting

Monday 13th January 2025