Patient Participation Group Meeting
Minutes for Friday 28th of October
It was lovely today to meet two new members.
Each member of the group told us a little about themselves.
Points Raised
The mention of lack of GP appointments was brought up on a few occasions by different members.
It was mentioned that it was exceptionally difficult to get an appointment with a GP even a telephone consultation with waiting times, they had been told of weeks.
I explained our appointment system.
Most of the members felt that a telephone consultation was not appropriate for their request to be seen when they had contacted us for an appointment. One member had a recurring urgent ailment that would only have been appropriate for a face-to-face appointment they felt. The patient had to wait for a phone consultation and then had to be put in the following day for a face to face and they were then sent up to the hospital, they stated “three appointments for the same problem”
Some members were concerned that they had missed blood tests for chronic disease management. I said that I would investigate the missing blood test requests and explained that the invites are prompted by searches which show what blood tests are required.
On looking one patient was due for bloods in a months’ time so I booked the appointment. The other patient thought that a cholesterol test was needed but in fact a Hba1c was needed and so this was booked.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 15th December at 12 noon.
Please, If you feel that you are due blood tests, please phone and we will check to see if you are, you don’t have to wait for a letter before booking.
