Minutes of meeting – Monday 7th July 2025, 7pm

Present

Jean Poole ( Chair and secretary), Dr Vicky Smith, Anna Rushowski, Lee Atkins, Tess Munden, Rebecca Corbett-Pitman, Barbara Bird, Ann Tunstall, Trudy Gwatkin, Mike Woodward, Maureen Woodward, Sharon Shaw, Kerry Harding

Welcome

Jean thanked those attending

Apologies

Ellie Rees, Rob Munden

Approval of previous minutes

The minutes of 31st March were approved by the group.

Matters arising from previous minutes

Telephone system - Suggestions had been made previously when discussing the automated message being used when calling the practice. PPG members offered help to look at options if required on review
Patient information sessions – It was agreed that an evening information session on “Women’s health” would be helpful – Dr Smith to investigate speaker options
Car parking changes – these were introduced by South Glos Council in May. Patients attending the surgery or pharmacy are allowed 2 hours free parking and need to enter the car registration number on the computer tablet in reception. Concern had been raised about the size of the font on the tablet but unfortunately this is not able to be changed. Those with disabled badges need to enter details on the car park machine ( 4 hours for free) and display their blue badge as usual, whether attending the surgery or not . Members of the PPG were present during the first few days to assist people with the arrangements. The surgery car park is now for staff use only and is controlled by a barrier. From observations over the last few weeks , the Kennedy Way car park has had plenty of spaces available so patients are able to park easily. However, there has been some concern over parking in the local residential streets which is being monitored.
NAPP membership – Jean advised the group that the membership of the National Association was not proving to be useful , so membership would not be renewed when the fee is due later this month . The practice/ PPG policy and references on the webpage will require updating – Ellie, Anna and Jean to action wef 15th July
Email group – membership is slow to grow despite our presence in the surgery and a recent Facebook post. There are currently around 30 patients in the group alongside committee members. New members are welcome and can join via the website or the leaflet available on the PPG notice-board
Spring covid clinics – these were held during April and were supported by PPG members as usual. The uptake locally was above both the wider area and national average at 69.7 %
BP home readings – the timeline on the text message link had been queried at the last meeting . The group were advised that this was a system constraint but Lee advised the group that patients could call reception to send out a further link to capture data appropriately.

PPG issues

E-consult 1 year on – the group discussed a number of examples of their experience of the system. The surgery team review the system every few months and look critically at specific cases that have been brought to their attention in order to improve pathways. Overall there has been a marked service improvement with patients being seen by various members of the team , not necessarily a GP. Some stats on the impact of e-consult were being collated and would be cascaded when available - Ellie to provide stats when available
Concerns were expressed by the group about patients being required to do more on line, via text messages and complete pre-appointment checks themselves. A specific example of being required to use the equipment at the entrance for BP , weight etc which meant attending in advance of the appointment time was considered unwelcome and intrusive. It was explained that time was saved at the health review appointment if the information was already logged and not all patients were asked to do that in advance . A suggestion that the text wording needed to be “softened” was taken on board by the management team. – Anna and Ellie to discuss
There are currently almost 20 conditions that are reviewed regularly by on line Q&A forms. These are requested when appropriate and may require follow up appointments. A list can be found on the website for information. There are some conditions and services that are separately flagged for appointments to be made but it was recognised that appointments for forward booking for some of those may be limited.
Unfortunately some patients need to provide information in some detail at reception and maintaining confidentiality can be a challenge. Lee explained that should patients require a private area to complete an e-consult in the surgery , then this could be arranged with support from an appropriate member of the team
Committee membership – Dave Powell has stood down from the committee due to other commitments but remains as a member of the email group. Names of any patient wishing to put themselves forward for the committee would be welcomed – names and contact details to be sent to Jean
Furniture upgrade – it had been noticed that a number of chairs had been removed from the waiting room and replaced with lighter ones. Dr Smith explained that the damaged ones had been taken out due to infection control management. At present replacements are not being made available but the situation will be monitored.
GDPR compliance for PPG records – a document had been produced nationally with advice from the ICO ( information Commissioner’s office) to help PPG officers ensure GDPR compliance in handling patient PPG recruitment and record keeping. Jean had forwarded this to Anna for information and it was agreed that the process in place for management of Courtside PPG members information was compliant.

Courtside Issues

Staffing update – The locum support behind the maternity leave of Dr Hawkins is in place until January. Kerry ( HCA) returns from maternity leave in August.
Flu / Covid vaccination clinics – the autumn campaign will start on Saturday 4th October with some clinics to follow on a couple of weekdays. The criteria for Covid boosters has been tightened this year and will include those over 75, care home residents for the elderly and those with certain medical conditions. The age for flu vaccine is over 65 and special groups. The usual support from PPG members would be appreciated – Lee to provide details of the clinics when available for Jean to organise volunteers

Date of Next Meeting

Monday 6th October (incl AGM) 2025
Subsequent meetings – 15th December

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