Patients council minutes 25th july 2013

FARFIELD GROUP PRACTICE
MINUTES OF THE PATIENTS COUNCIL MEETING
Held on 25th July, 2013

Present: Attendance sheet circulated. Attendance number: 25
Chair: Ms. N. Nutton
In Attendance:
Ms. Cheryl Lamb (Practice Manager)
Dr. Scott Watson
Kath Watson (Healthcare Assistant)
Ms. Nicola Nutton welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. Once again, there had
been an increase in the number of attendees, with many of those present stating that they had been
made aware of the meeting by the advertisement in the practice and some by an email sent out by
the Practice Manager.
The first item on the agenda was a talk about Dementia which was presented by Dr Scott Watson.
Dr Watson explained that Dementia is a common condition affecting more than simply the patient.
The number of new dementia cases diagnosed in 2012 was around 800,000, a number which is
predicted to continually rise in the future.
Dementia is a collection of symptoms rather than a disease. Symptoms include;
There may be other causes for these symptoms which include Alzheimer's disease, Vascular Disease or Lewy Body dementia amongst other conditions. Dr Watson went on to explain that if a person or a loved one was suffering from symptoms and thought they had dementia then they should visit their GP. The GP can perform an initial assessment which may involve taking blood tests and possibly a head scan. The patient would be required to undertake some memory testing and the GP may refer the patient on to a Memory Clinic if the GP is suspicious that the patient could be suffering early stages of dementia. Dr Watson warned there are relatively few treatments available. Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Memantine (ebixa) are examples of medications available to treat dementia. These medications slow down the progress of the disease but are not a cure. Dementia is an extremely emotive subject and we heard personal accounts from some of the attendees at the meeting who were carers for loved ones suffering from dementia. Dr Watson advised the following when caring for someone with dementia; Dr Watson went on to talk about what people can do to avoid getting this illness as they get older. • Occupy your mind - crosswords, puzzles, Sudoku, etc • Eat healthily - eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, beans, fish (a Mediterranean diet is a good example of healthy eating) • Exercise - aim to increase the amount of exercise you take. This does not have to be anything too strenuous and can simply be walking more, taking the steps instead of the lift etc.
A question & answer opportunity was given. Some attendees asked about support networks locally
for carers of dementia sufferers and whether the practice might consider setting up a support group.
Cheryl has provided the following links to support networks some of which are in our locality
www.healthmaps.org.uk (search local services/support groups)
www.dementia.uk
www.khln.co.uk (Keighley Healthy Living) www.alzheimers.org.uk (base in Skipton) telephone: 01756 799971
Nicola, the Chairperson, thanked Dr. Watson for his fascinating talk which we all found very
interesting and enlightening.
1. Minutes of last meeting
These were taken as read and accepted as a true record.
2. Matters arising
There were no matters arising, other than those to be discussed on the Agenda.
3. Report on PPG Network Meeting
Unfortunately Nicky Nutton had not been able to attend the last Network meeting held on 17th July
however gave us a brief overview of the work of Healthwatch who run the meeting.
Healthwatch is an independent consumer group set up by the Government following the reforms to
health and social care. Set up to gather and represent the views of the public, Healthwatch operates
on two levels; nationally through Healthwatch England and through local network organisations like
Healthwatch Bradford & District.
Nicky attends these local network meetings and brings back information to our patient council so we
have a voice when health services are being commissioned or changed.
At the last PPG network meeting members were encouraged to go back to their patient groups to find out what health issues they and their communities were concerned about and what they wanted to know more information about. The Airedale, Wharfedale & Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (AWC CCG), who are responsible for buying healthcare services for patients in this locality, have a lay member who attends network meetings who can then feed into the CCG to ensure concerns or information needs are addressed. These concerns will be discussed with the CCG at the next PPG network meeting on: Thursday 10th October at The Soroptomists Club, 28 Otley Street, Skipton BD23 1EW.
Nicky stated she would like to encourage as many people as possible to attend the meetings and even offered to give a lift where transport would be an issue. Nicky's details can be obtained from Cheryl Lamb, Practice Manager, if anyone wanted to take up Nicky's offer. The number for healthwatch enquiries is 0300 56 10 987 Mon-Fri 9.30-12.30pm then answerphone. & their main website is www.healthwatchbradford.co.uk
4. Any Other Business
Practice changes
As mentioned in the minutes of the last meeting, Cheryl advised that new GP, Dr Emerald, has now
started working for the practice. Dr Emerald is working 4 days per week.
The practice has also recruited a new GP to cover Dr Smith's maternity leave. Dr Hannah Miller will
be joining the practice from mid September.
Enhanced data sharing
Cheryl explained that as part of the national move towards secure sharing of medical records within
NHS services a new system has been set up called the Enhanced Data Sharing Model (EDSM). This
means if you are seen by a Doctor or other Healthcare Professional in another NHS facility, such as
A&E or a hospital ward, they can ask your permission to access your medical record held by a
practice on their computer system. Patients can choose whether to share their information or not
and also choose whether or not your GP practice can then view this information.
If you choose to share your information your clinical details will only be viewable by clinical teams
who are treating you.
If you choose not to share your information, we will respect your wishes, however by denying the
clinical teams caring for you the ability to access important clinical details could compromise your
care.

The practice has already started asking patients to make this choice and intends to run an awareness
campaign in practice to inform patients about this service.
Text Messaging Service
Cheryl advised the practice is now able to provide a text messaging service to patients to remind
them of their booked appointments. Anyone wanting to take advantage of this service should speak
to a receptionist.

NHS 111
One of the attendees at the meeting raised concern regarding the new NHS 111 service. The patient
had cause to telephone the NHS 111 service when the practice was closed. She had to wait 12 hours
to speak to a GP, and did contemplate going to A&E as a result of the delay. Cheryl advised of a
national problem with the NHS 111 service which was currently in the news and very topical.
Complaints contact details for 111 and feedback forms are available from Cheryl to send on to NHS
111 for any patient wanting to raise any issues about the service. In contrast, another attendee
stated he had received a very good service when he had to contact NHS 111.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting then closed
5. Date of next meeting - Thursday, 31st October, 2013 at 6.30 p.m.

Source: http://www.farfieldsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/PATIENTS-COUNCIL-MINUTES-25th-JULY-2013.pdf