PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP Minutes 27 June 2023 18.30PM
| In Attendance | Practice Members | Dr S A Richardson
Dr D W Colvin Dr S J Pearson Dr E M Davidson Dr H E Berry Dr H E Harman Dr D W Marr L Dodgson (PM) |
| Patient Members (Full names protected) | JA, LB, WH, AK, MM, JM, HP | |
| Guest Speaker | Not applicable | |
| Apologies received | Practice Members | Dr L D Sayers, S Downie (SD) |
| Patient Members (Full names protected ) | JC, JI, JS |
Thanks were given to all who attended and apologies received. Fire Alarm information was given out.
Agenda Items:
- The Practice introduced Dr Marr to the Group. Dr Marr has replaced Dr Summers who retired in April. Dr Marr told the group about himself, his local upbringing and training and that he was delighted to be joining the practice.
- A member enquired as to whether the Practice had had any better engagement from North East and Cumbria ICB who have taken over from the local CCG. Dr Colvin said none at all. Dr Colvin explained that there are only two GP Representatives on the ICB board and neither are from North Tyneside, meaning there is minimal input from any primary care organisation. L Dodgson stated that we get a monthly newsletter from the ICB but that at a primary care level we have no influence or input into decision making and that currently there is no patient voice either which is of concern. Dr Colvin stated that NHS England are looking at the current GP Partnership model with a view to removing them. A “white paper” (of which we were involved) has stated that “continuity” is the key to better healthcare for patients and better outcomes but it will depend on who the next Government is and how they look to change the NHS. Dr Berry stated that she is going to become a GP Trainer and that we will have registrars attached to the surgery from August – this is a very positive thing for the practice as we will be training the next group of GP’s and this makes for excellent contacts going forward. A member asked what has caused the decrease in number of GP’s. Dr Pearson explained that a lack of investment in to Primary care meant that the “consultant” role was more attractive for those leaving medical school, and also there has been an increase in doctors going abroad once they have completed their training.
Any other Business
- A member enquired as to why our phone lines were so busy at the moment and why it can take a while to get through. L Dodgson stated that she was sorry to hear that the PPG member had trouble getting through to us. She stated that since lock down was ended there had been a huge rise in patient contacts and that the phones were now busy all day every day. In addition the patient list has been expanded over the last 18 months so we now have over 13,000 patients. This expansion has lead to more contact from more patients and whilst there has been an increase of staff to take this into account the phones remain extremely busy. L Dodgson said that this was not something that was happening at our surgery but the extreme pressure and workload is being felt by all GP Practices.
- Dr Richardson informed the group that the current Practice Manager, Mrs Lynne Dodgson was leaving the surgery and has taken on a new post at a surgery closer to her home. Mrs Dodgson has been the Practice Manager at Whitley Bay or over 14 years and will be missed by all the staff and Partners. The group thanked Mrs Dodgson for all her work over the years and stated she will be very sadly missed. A replacement Practice Manager will be appointed in due course.
Meeting concluded.
Date and time of next meeting – Tuesday 19 September 2023 – PROVISIONAL DATE SUBJECT TO WORKLOAD/CHANGES