PPG Minutes of 19th August 2025 Meeting

 

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

 

Present:  TC Chairperson, AA Deputy Chair, SA, JN, PC, JR Secretary, Catherine Page (BCHC), Donald McIver (Pharmacy Team Manager), Natalie Thornton (Pharmacy Team)
Apologies: JJ, PCW, BS, JL, CM, AC

Minutes from the last Meeting

Minutes - of the July 17th 2025 meeting were approved unanimously

 

Matters Arising

  • No Matters Arising from July minutes
 

Staffing

  • Three GPs are leaving for jobs abroad. New GP starting next month, another has been offered and interviews are being arranged. 
  • New nurse started yesterday. 2 new HCAs started, doing well. Phlebotomist interviews this week.
  • Contact centre – 2 new call handlers started.
  • New receptionist started today.
  • 2 new pharmacists started this month.
 

Constitution

  1. This was discussed and some changes may be introduced.
  2. Benchmark – Principles
  3. Aims and objectives- Promote health in the community
  4. Membership- If a person fails to attend 4 times in a row, without any explanation they can be removed.
  5. Election of PPG members and vacancies. The number is 20 and any over this number would be virtual.
  6. There has to be a Quorum of attendees for the meeting to go ahead.
  7. There is a link to join the PPG on the website.
  8. Members to be reviewed every 5 years.
  9. Conditions of applications – re age? a minimum age.
  10. Hannah takes applications and sends out emails and Committee decides whether applicant is suitable. 
  11. Aims of Practice – legal requirement to have a PPG.
  12. Draft of constitution next meeting.         
 

National Survey

  • Improved on last year in all areas except speaking to chosen member of Staff.
  • Use of NHS app – PPG offer support at clinics, looking at sessions to support with this – PPG have offered to help. Reception help patients when they come in.
  • Most areas lower than National average - Working on everything to improve all areas. 
  • Overall experience 62% National average 75%
 

Local Survey

  • 180 responses out of 746 (24%), not all had an appointment at BCHC in last 12 months.
  • 87% said they had seen the Clinician they wanted to see.
  • 93% overall satisfaction
  • Donald re: website – the website is being improved to make it easier to access.
  • Triage – does give option to patients to name the Clinician they want to see, not always possible if e.g. urgent appointment.
 

Any Other Business

  • The website is to be updated – common actions will be shown on the front page. e.g. book an appointment. This will make everything easier to access.
  • People are going to the wrong venue, appointment reminders state whether South Bar House or Bridge Street
  • New Pharmacist Natalie Thornton attended the meeting with Donald- she did a quarter of her training at BCHC and has returned as a permanent member of Staff for 4 days a week.
  • Donald – Thank you for welcoming Natalie. 
  • There will be 9 pharmacists at BCHC next month.
  • PC – Receptionists are all friendly and helpful, JR they are all very patient and go the extra mile.
  • Re: Deaf/hard of hearing patients – Is there information to make clinician or person calling to make them aware of the patient’s inability to hear the person who has called. Catherine will check if things could be shown more prominently on the screen.
  • Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning will be held on Friday 26th September at BCHC, further information to follow.
 

Next Meeting

Next Meeting: Tuesday 16th September 2025 at 5pm at Education Room BCHC