Patient Group Meeting Minutes

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PPG meeting - 12th February 2025

Welcome and group rules

Present

• Dr Elizabeth Grigg
• Sharon Rowe
• Dr Emily Rowe
• Sandra Wilson
• Kate Butler
• Phil and Michael Keenan
• Margaret Tatham
• Izzy Sylvester
• Ian Aldridge
• Liz Blazey
• Jane Armstrong

Apologies

• Sally Payton

Review last meeting minutes 13/11/2024

There were no matters arising with no corrections.

Sign off minutes

Elizabeth signed off the minutes. Sharon requested a word version of the minutes. 

Practice Update from West Somerset Healthcare

Practice update from West Somerset Healthcare

Current patient numbers – our practice list size is 10,626. Ian stated that he was aware that Dunster Surgery had closed its list with the size now 8,000, having been 6,000, with no intention presently of opening it again. Sharon said that the list was currently steady, but, with predicted house building in Watchet/Williton, maybe 3,000, this will change list size. Sharon was asked about the implications of this.

The section 106 monies from developers (Section 106 monies, also known as planning obligations or developer contributions, are financial contributions secured through legally binding agreements between local planning authorities and developers to address the impacts of a development on the local community and infrastructure) goes to the ICB, for delivery to support the community, and Sharon said its use needs to be discussed.

The matter of GP recruitment was raised, perversely, recruiting GP’s is currently easier because there are fewer jobs available. There was discussion of other developments such as the hospital at home service, however, this does not address the paucity of social care provision/packages once recovered. Sharon said currently the surgery is coping well with infrastructure and demands BUT will change in the nearer future, and discussion is going on with ICB about expansion, and the surgery has put in an expression of interest ref expansion. 

Staff Update

We are recruiting a new part-time receptionist to cover 24 hours per week.  The response has been good.

Registrar GP

Dr Stewart Smith will be staying with the practice as a salaried doctor when he completes his training in early August.  He has already passed his final exam.  He will work with us for six sessions (3 days) per week.  This is a permanent contract although initially he will be covering maternity leave for Dr Sam Duckworth.

Meeting Dates

In order to rotate different GP partners into these meetings, would it be possible to please hold them on different week days?  Would it be possible to please consider Tuesdays and Thursdays as this gives all GP partners a chance to attend one of the meetings.  There have been changes to our GP rota since we moved meetings to Wednesdays.  This was agreed.

Meeting minutes on website

Our meeting minutes contain the names of patients who have expressed an interest in joining our group but not attended meetings or have maybe attended once.  Their names are included within minutes which are published on our website.  Are these individuals aware that this is the case?  Agreed to remove any names except those of permanent group members who have all agreed to their names being published.  Sandra suggested group members could sign a GDPR form to provide their consent for sharing of their information.  She has a template which she can supply to Elizabeth.

Village Agent Update

Izzy’s organisation has some money left from winter funding, and they are looking at using it for improving heating and insulation. The organisation has a new CEO resulting in a mix of improvements and some disruption in publicity. There are also some current challenges with St Decuman’s Trust, which works to support vulnerable families. 

Izzy emphasised how important West Somerset Community transport is, and the 15 various groups that are active getting individuals to important events, e.g. shopping, NHS appts etc. Official hospital transport availability has decreased. There has been a big drop in volunteer drivers and Old Cleeve is desperate for more volunteers. Drivers must inform their car insurer. She said there are lots of people needing help and support currently, especially getting to Blackbrook. Diagnostic Centre.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust update

SFT is in a poor financial state. The Government has withdrawn funding for the new Maternity Unit, as well as new Electronic Patient Record, and the Trust executives are looking at other ways of supporting changes needed. There was talk of selling buildings, and securing a Non Exec director with different skills to enable this development. A&E is very busy. 260 patients still in SFT that need discharge but nowhere to go! SFT is looking for a new Public Governor for Minehead. 

The new Chairperson, Dr Rima Makarem is settling in. She has a very good relationship with Somerset ICB, and currently recruiting for two new Non Exec Directors . 

Dementia Alliance Watchet

Margaret says the group’s numbers are being maintained and there is a new carer’s group. 

PPG managed educational community events and activity planning for 2025

Elizabeth gained agreement for the PPG to hold the Carer’s event again in 2025, during Carer’s Week. We hoped to be able to hold it on 14/06/2025, but need to secure the Williton Pavillion and get planning ASAP.  A date was set for the first planning meeting for the event, 12/03/2025 at 10am.  

Margaret made the group aware of Dementia Action Week. It is 19-25 May 2025.

New Agenda Items

Feedback on Change NHS 10 year plan survey dissemination and briefing

Different members of the group discussed their efforts to get the local community to complete the survey and very disappointing poor standard of production. So, we will wait to see the outcome. 

Any Other Business

There was discussion about customer service at the pharmacy next to the surgery, and agreement that the feedback was very positive. 

There was also positive feedback about the improvements seen from the surgery reception. 

Date of Next Meeting

13/05, 13/08, 12/11 (AGM)

Further to earlier discussion, the date of the next PPG Meeting has changed to 13/05/2025