The Regent Square Group Practice
8/9 Regent Square
 Doncaster
DN1 2DS

REGENT SQUARE PATIENT FORUM

Minutes of Meeting held 18 July 2012

Present	David Carter			Chairman
		Joyce Burman			RSGP Patient
		Hilary Carter			"
Ron Drake			"
		Alan Jones			“
		Malcolm Stevenson		“
Lesley Young			“
		Dr Casapieri			Regent Square Practice Doctor
		Ann Grain			Senior Practice Nurse
		Lorayne Wilkinson		Practice Manager Designate

Apologies	Joan Lloyd			Patient		
 
1.	The Chairman opened the meeting and invited Dr Casapieri to introduce Lorayne Wilkinson as the Practice Manager Designate.  She takes up her post from the 1st August 2012.  The role of the post was also explained.

2.	Approval of Minutes 17Apr 12.  The minutes were taken as read and approved.

3. 	Matters Arising.

a.	Ring Back system.  The timing of ring backs is not always convenient for patients because of work or other personal commitments.  Although alternative times can be requested it depends on the patient requesting an alternative when the the ring back time period is given by the receptionist. 

b.	Prescription changes.  It was re-emphasised that any change recommended by the pharmacist is always approved by a Doctor.  Confusion has occurred because local pharmacies independently conduct reviews, which can appear as surgery initiated.  It was stressed that a pharmacy can only raise prescribing concerns with the appropriate Doctor.  Regent Square is not funded for a pharmacist; however, Weldrick’s sponsor a pharmacist to work within the practice.  This pharmacist, whilst in the practice, is subject to the confidentiality and prescribing rules of the Practice.

c.	Patients’ prescriptions can be subject to change because of PCT policies regarding drug types and costs.  Dr Casapieri explained that if certain prescribing targets were not met there were significant financial implications for the practice.  

d. 	The request was made that repeat prescriptions were made for a longer period.  Dr Casapieri expressed a desire to do so, but pointed out that this was against PCT policy, also there had been some difficulties in the past with lost prescriptions and the waste generated by changes in medication. 

e.	Wheelchair access.  The Chairman commented that there is more awareness by the reception staff around the difficulties of negotiating the entrance doors with a wheelchair and expressed his thanks.  There has been an occasional problem with the unfolding and folding of the transit wheelchair, the mechanism is unusual and he thought that some familiarity training might be appropriate.  

f.	The height of the reception desk was commented on but the Practice policy was accepted.

4.  	Items of Patient administration.

a.  	Patient Questionnaire.  The overall results of the questionnaire were considered to be very good. Two points were raised:

i.	The low proportion of patients who knew when their Doctor was available.  The Drs availability is subject to constant revision because of practice needs.

ii.	The responses were overwhelmingly from “White British”; 170 out of187.  Assurances were given that the questionnaires were randomly distributed, it was the response rate which was skewed.  The possible reasons were discussed but no conclusions could be made.

The patient Forum will be consulted on the format of next year’s questionnaire for distribution in Jan/Feb

b.  	Web Site.  The web site is considered to be of high quality.  Two points were raised, first to improve the prominence of the web address in the Surgery, and secondly to give circulation to the information published to those without web access.  A page within the web site for the patient forum is desirable.

5.	Items Regarding Patient Access to Services. 

The direct commissioning of services by GPs was raised and discussed.  The overall conclusion being that although there are going to be administrative and management changes, the patients access to services would remain as is.  The communication difficulties which occur between the various health sectors (GPs, Consultants and other specialities) will probably not significantly change.

6.	Items Regarding the Building

None

7.	Date of AGM 
	
	Wednesday 17 October at 5.15pm in the Surgery 

8.	Any Other Business.

The need to increase the participation of patients with the Forum was discussed.  The methods suggested were better advertising of the Forum, use of the web site, a Physical presence at surgeries such as the Baby clinic, the use of directed questionnaires, and the provision of a Forum suggestion Box within the surgery.

9. 	Date of Next Meeting

17 Oct 12 at 5.15pm (AGM)

Meeting closed 1800