We are pleased to be able to let you know that Armed Forces Veterans are now able to receive priority in some NHS services.
Here is a link to start you off in the right direction.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/military-healthcare/priority-nhs-treatment-for-veterans/
Tomorrow (Tuesday 3rd December 2019) and for the next 3 Tuesdays, I will be in the main reception area between 3.00pm and 5pm to help out anyone who has problems using the on-line services provided by the NHS and the Practice on a one to one basis.
This includes on-line Appointments, Hospital Referrals, Prescriptions, on-line Doctor services, etc.
If you need help in accessing these services come along, and bring your laptop, tablet or smartphone with you.
Don’t forget your flu jabs for this winter. You can get them via our GP practice or at your pharmacist!
We are pleased to say that this meeting was very active and positive.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
It was well known now that there were structural problems with the building. A partial area closure will be arranged, but details are not yet available.
We were shown the new Blithehale Health Centre, which is nearing it’s launch. Suggestions were made to improve it, and our members were asked to make any further suggestions on the site for the next meeting.
The new website can be found on:
Alternatives to telephoning reception for appointments, test results, arrivals for appointment were discussed as well as other points. It was agreed that there is a need to reduce the amount of time patients spend on hold when calling reception and to increase Professional staff availability. In order to help solve this problem patients are asked where-ever possible to use on-line services. The introduction of the new website (see previous item) will offer many more options, making it easier to make more requests and appointments on-line. Don’t forget that instead of making too many appointments, patients can use the option of requesting to speak to a GP on the telephone later in the day.
It was asked if digital patient arrival for appointment screens will be available. They are already on the way. This will help release receptionists for other tasks.
It was also requested that some type of music or tone be introduced for those waiting on hold, at present there is just a silent line (apart from place in the queue notifications) and patients on hold feel that the line may have gone dead.
There is a damaged chair in the main waiting area.
There was a feeling that the practice could improve services for those with diabetes. The points made were noted, and a suggestion made that we repeat the successful Autism Awareness Event.
It was pointed out that some places were charging up to £50 to get a printout of medical records. All present agreed that outdated practices are slowly being replaced, and that there should be no charge. The new website will eventually help in this way.
It was pointed out that there are openings for patients to join the assessment teams being formed for the next bout of assessments. Training will be given. If you feel you would like to join them, please contact me or send your details by e-mail to:
I pointed out that I had recently logged into the new NHS App. As the registering for this app is longwinded and requests a very high degree of IT knowledge to use it, patients are still advised to continue using the present on-line contact details.
Come along to the mext meeting
Free Speech at a PPG Meeting
Sadly the weather and sickness played their part in attendance today. We had already received apologies from our chairman, Len Sale and Dr Penny Crouch.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
There is currently a swift turnover of recepltionists, as two had left to follow a career outside of the medical world, and replacements are currently being trained up.
The building’s condition means that parts of the buildings may have to be closed off. How this will be managed is being negotiated with the owners. We ask that all patients be patient and understanding, as the actual schedule is set by the building owners and not the practice management. As these works are required urgently, the practice will ensure that there will be as little disturbance as possible.
We are pleased to be able to say that Acute and Controlled medications can now be ordered on-line. This will make life easier for those patients who depend on these medications longterm, and those using Dosset boxes to control the taking of their medication. Please let us know how this is working for you.
We are pleased to inform you that you can now obtain your medical records on-line, once your identity is confirmed. Please let us know how this is working.
We are pleased to say that our practice does not have the problems that contributed to the closing of surgeries. The program seems to have caused a stir, but we are not in the same bracket as those which were closed.
It was suggested that screening of patients for vitamin D deficiency should be introduced. The Practice will take this suggestion up the ladder for regional level approval.
Our new Chairman, Ron Sale
IN THE CHAIR WAS OUR CHAIRMAN RON SALES
We were introduced to Val the Deputy Practice Manager, who has taken over from Chris.
The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
It was pointed out that there have been items ordered using this system which failed to appear on the final prescription.
It was also pointed out that when the Message bar is used on this system, it is sometimes ignored.
We were assured that this system has already been undergoing a review, therefore these problems will be solved very soon.
The practice has been working with the communications providers, and we will soon have a new Practice Official Website. Once it is up and running we will create a link to it from this site, but sadly there is a problem with linking the new site to this blog???
The building reconditioning is under way, and will be reviewed next week.
As well as Val joining us, there have been 3 departures from the Admin/Reception area. Claudine is back from maternity leave. We welcome the new faces, and wish those departing all the best, and thanks for their efforts.
Looking for a job as a receptionist??
We were informed that the Practice Away-day was successful, so we should soon see the outcomes.
One member asked whether a physiotherapist could be attached to the practice. We were informed that there is a central hub of specialists the practice can call on, we already have plans to look at the provision of Paramedics as well as the Social Prescriber. Other local practices are also looking at how these options benefit their practices, and we can then call on their experiences.
It was pointed out that as we are to have Paramedics within the practice, this would be the perfect time to hold seminars or training sessions in basic first aid and CPR for patients as well as non medically trained staff.
There had been some minor problems with the text reminder service, and there was no reminder to the key members of this PPG as we had previously had with Chris. Bola requested that I remind her about the reminders for future meetings. The other problems had already been identified and dealt with.
It is clear that some people are having difficulty using and loading the practice’s on-line services. I have offered to do a one day drop-in in the reception area, in order to help those who would like to use the on-line services, but are having difficulties. I will arrange a date for this with Bola, so keep an eye on this site!
It is clear that several cultural groups are not fairly represented at PPG meetings. It was agreed that we should all look into ways to encourage a fair balance.
It would appear that an appointment was held with a trainee present, but the patient was not asked if they would mind their presence at the opening of the appointment. This was noted so it will not happen again.
Our Chairman enquired whether it was possible for the phlebotomist to use a ticket system, along the lines of that in use at the Royal London Hospital. It was pointed out that as the nurse does not solely do blood tests, this system could only cause confusion, but the jcurrent practice will look at to seek improvements.
Richard reminded us that the Autism Awareness Group still meets in the Whitechapel Idea Store on the forth Wednesday of each month.
Any questions about the Patients Participation Group should be directed to the Practice Reception or by using the contact form below!
