PPG: Meeting Minutes 10th January 2023

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Members/apologies

Guests

• Ben Baker  (Paramedic)

Welcome

David welcomed everyone present especially Amanda Kohn who takes over from Nina Parnell representing WHLC

Apologies

Claire, Alex, Lynne and Shirley.

Minutes of last meeting

These were approved with one amendment, the PPG news will be published in the local newsletters quarterly.

Matters arising from the Minutes:

Invitation to Pharmacist to advise us on their additional duties, it was decided that this would be an ideal subject to include in the Open evening on 18th April.

Independent Prescribing for Pharmacists - There are 3 types of non-medical prescriber (Independent Prescribing, Supplementary Prescribing and Community Practitioner Prescribing). Different professional groups may hold different prescribing rights.

Independent Prescribers are responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with undiagnosed and diagnosed conditions and can make decisions about treatment required including prescribing. 

The Independent Prescriber education qualification is either undertaken as a:

• Post registration, post graduate programme. This is usually done in the learners own time, often funded by themselves,
• Or part of a pre-registration under-graduate programme.

In the Westbank Practice Ben Baker (paramedic) is a qualified Independent Prescriber. The practice is to recruit a 2nd. Will Farmer, Pharmacist  at Exminster also holds the qualification.

Discussion was held about how patients should be made aware that not all pharmacists can prescribe -as the recent NHS media announcements have suggested.

Val has enquired through Health Education England (HEE) as to the planned availability of Independent Prescriber programmes for 2022/23. HEE is aware of the need and approximately 3000 places have been commissioned for pharmacists meeting the eligibility requirements. 

Amendment to AGM starting time

It was agreed that staring time for the AGM to be 7.00pm.

Support for a Practice face-book page

David prepared a letter to the partners offering the PPG support for a facebook page. Claire will present this at the next Partner’s meeting.

Practice Updates

Will Farmer (Pharmacist) will spend 2 days in the practice to facilitate independent prescribing.

WPPG Notice boards will be available in both Surgery waiting rooms.

News from Westbank HLC

• Funding for rehab programme, data is needed to prove its value, as the cost is £80.00 per patient. It is a 10-week programme, with some leaving early.
• Referrals come from the GP’s, whose feedback would be beneficial on the results.
• Patients can still self refer.

PPG Updates in Local Newsletters

• Val and Cam will liaise to produce the newsletter reports quarterly.
• Information regarding the AGM will need to be in by 18th February for March editions.
• A copy of the Terms of Reference will be displayed on the surgery notice boards.
• The Practice Newsletter will contain an invitation to patients to attend the Open Evening at Westbank.

Discuss Minutes of meetings and Terms of Reference to be displayed on Practice Website

This was approved.

Discuss contents of AGM programme and its circulation

• David will welcome everyone and briefly describe the work of the WPPG.
• A doctor to be invited to speak. [Cam to follow up]. He has confirmed that Dr Wong will attend.
• Ben, our Paramedic has agreed to talk about his role.
• Amanda WHLC will talk about the services available at Westbank
• The role of the Pharmacist has changed in recent years, we need an invitation to Will Farmer explain how. [ Claire to follow up.]
• Time for observations and questions from the audience.
• The evening will close with the Annual General Meeting [AGM].

Discuss meeting with members of other PPG groups within our circuit

We discussed the idea of a link up with the other PPG Committees in our Primary Care Network, in order to share information on how they operate their PPG responsibilities.

Claire/Cam to follow up with the other Practices, in order to obtain links with their PPG Committee Chairpersons.

We will look into the possibility of holding a joint meeting of the groups here at Westbank HLC on an evening. This item to be followed up after our AGM.

The role of the Paramedic

There is a need for the role of the Paramedic work in the Surgery to be described in the Newsletters and website. 

They manage concerns like coughs, vomiting, cuts, kids’ rashes and tummy troubles for which he can prescribe. He refers to a GP in emergencies.

Appointments to see the paramedic can be made via reception or on line.

Paramedics do make home visits to elderly /disabled patients, with acute problems.

There is a study on the work of prescribing, as it’s not always the right solution, there is a need for documentation to detail the services to patients.

Correspondence

None

AOB

None