TRINITY RIVERSIDE PRACTICE
PATIENT INVOLVEMENT GROUP MINUTES, 23RD APRIL 2013

Present:
	Hazel Purvis, Carol Craggs, Margaret McPherson, Emma Kitching, Kelly Summerly, Robert Black, Joyce Robinson and Neil Brown

Apologies:
	June Talbot and Peter Bennetts

Margaret McPherson, Business Manager for Trinity Medical Group joined the meeting, all members introduced themselves.

1.	Minutes of last meeting/Matters arising
The group was informed that there is still no progress with water machines outside of Phlebotomy.  The staff in the pharmacy will ask the pharmacist if they would consider selling bottled water.  

The group had asked for an audit to be brought to the meeting on how many patients were seen in A&E in February.  Hazel produced the figures, 128 were seen, 32 of these were during opening hours.  Hazel explained that all of these get discussed in the practice meetings to establish if they were appropriate attendances.  A lot of discussion followed on the type of patients attending A&E and reasons for going.  It was agreed a lot of money is being spent on A&E attendances and A&E should turn away inappropriate patients, but this does not happen at present.

2.	New Computer System Update
The group were updated on Emis Web.  Doctor’s and staff have coped very well with the change, it has been stressful at times but things are settling down now.  None of the group had noticed any disruption in the service.

3.	Commissioning Update
The group were informed of a new scheme that the practice is involved with called ‘South Tyneside Improving Care Scheme’.  A brief outline was given on the scheme.  The practice need to develop a register of hard to reach patients with long term conditions, have a care plan to review each patient in their own home or the surgery.  The aim is to avoid hospital admissions.  Neil asked who would be seeing these patients and how would it be done?  The practice nurse and the GP will be involved with these patients, depending on the needs of the patient.  A lot of discussion followed around hospital admissions.  Bob mentioned an article in the newspaper today about patients abroad being kept in hotels rather than hospital as its cheaper!!  Joyce mentioned some patients find it very difficult to get to the surgery and there isn’t a phlebotomy service for people in their own homes.  This was discussed but thought that this is a service which will probably never be funded unfortunately.

4.	Patient Survey
The group had agreed on two surveys to be carried out recently.  Dr Gordon’s satisfaction survey was handed round.  He had 100% satisfaction.  Neil mentioned that every survey is showing very high results and wondered if patients were afraid to make any comments.  The survey is handed to patients randomly and no identifiable information is on the form.  It was suggested that if a patient rates anything less than good we could ask for a reason why with a comment box.  Joyce commented that she felt that the survey results were good and she felt it was a very good practice.  The group requested the practice opening hours survey to be carried out again as it is approximately a year since last done.  This is underway now and Hazel will bring the results to the next meeting.

5.	Members Issues
Neil asked a question that another patient asked him to bring up.  Is there a reason why the phlebotomy service use cotton wool and mepore tape after taking bloods rather than plasters?  Kelly said this was probably just their protocol and may be a cost saving for them.  Kelly mentioned at Riverside we still use plasters, there is no reason not to.

6.	Any Other Business
Hazel asked if we could change the day of the meetings as June is finding it difficult to attend some of the Tuesday meetings.  Wednesdays were suggested, therefore the next meeting will be Wednesday, 17th July.