April 15, 2025

Minutes

The Hawthorns Surgery

PPG Meeting Minutes:  Tuesday 15th April 2025

 

Attendees:

 

MI (Dr Michael Ince)

 

LW (Leanne Williams)

 

HF (Hayley Fairclough)

 

JM (Chair)

 

JC   

 

JP 

 

Welcome/Introductions and apologies:  JM updated all that VR sends her apologies for being unable to attend the meeting.

 

Approval of minutes from last meeting: Approved, no amendments required.

 

Actions of minutes from last meeting: 

 

·         Privacy screen for waiting room:  C/F from last meeting.  LW updated all that an external company who are responsible for the leaflets will reposition when next in.

·         Breast Screening:  C/F from last meeting.  JC is kindly going to develop a leaflet/poster to raise awareness.

·         Collective action by GP Practices’:  MI updated all that the national drive for collective action has paused after a new GP contract was agreed. 

 

 

·         Screening Programmes:

 

o   Bowel Cancer Month: Discussion had re how the practice raise awareness, LW advised that the practice have a poster in the waiting area and a video plays on the media screen in the waiting room.  PPG feel the national awareness video for Bowel Screening could be better.

 

o   Prostate Cancer Awareness:  Practice have poster in the waiting area and information on media screen.  MI updated all that we ran a successful campaign last year, inviting eligible males in for PSA blood test which was greatly received.

 

o   Mental Health:  Information regarding services available are located in the waiting room and on the practice website.

 

·         Shingles Eligibility:  JC advised that eligibility criteria for the shingles vaccine is confusing, which all agreed with.  MI informed that unfortunately, this is a national programme and outside of our control. 

 

·         Media Screen:  HF will now be responsible for updating information on the media screen every 2 weeks.

 

·         Walking groups:  PPG to contact ESH who do this for more information on how to set up.

 

Update from the practice:

 

Recruitment Update:

 

·         MI/LW updated all that we have successfully recruited a GP who will be joining the surgery at the beginning of August

·         We are still actively recruiting for  

o   Advanced Nurse Practitioner

o   In House Clinical Pharmacist

 

 

Spring COVID Booster:  The practice will not be delivering the Spring Booster again this season however, highly likely we will be doing the autumn booster again.  All eligible patients will receive an invite for this.

 

AI (artificial Intelligence) at the surgery:  MI informed all that the practice have decided to self-fund a SMART Triage system, along with document management and Ambient Voice Technology (AVT).  The SMART Triage will hopefully improve efficiency and optimize capacity management.  It automates the triage process, allowing patients to self-book appointments or receive guidance on appropriate care options, ultimately freeing up GP time for more complex cases. 

 

MI updated all that we will require support from the PPG to help promote the new ways of working.

 

AOB:  Nothing to update

 

Date of Next meeting:  12th August 2025