Patient Participation Group

Attendees

• J Bawden (CEO Lakeside)
• G Blagden (PPG)
• A Christmas (Acting Chair PPG)
• S Davidson (PPG)
• S Edwards (Practice Manager Lakeside Oundle)
• S Mulroy (PPG)
• Dr R Naidoo (GP Oundle Surgery)
• S McLeod (PPG)
• S Oakes (PPG)

Apologies

There were no apologies.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11th September were approved.

Appointments, Additional Appointments and Emergency Appointments on Anima (SMcL)

SMcL presented a prepared paper raising questions, that had been reviewed by SE before the meeting.

Has the increased use of Anima following the 29 September resulted in:
1) increased access to a GP
2) diversion of patients to other Health Care Professionals
3) by streamlining the system how many additional GP appointments have become available?
SE replied that there has been no increase in the number of telephone or face to face appointments but triaging to the best available clinician or service allows those patients who need to see a GP to see one.

Is it still possible to book an appointment by telephone or personal attendance at the surgery?
Yes, but all GP appointments will be put through Anima. Nurse, Social Prescriber or Physio appointments can also be made direct.

How best should a patient with an urgent medical issue see a GP?
All through Anima as above, or through 111 or visiting an Urgent Care Centre

A series of anecdotal individual issues were then discussed, SD raising the issue of blood test results. Others concerning how patients felt they were dealt with, another dealing with pre booked vaccinations not being available having been used for “walk ins”. Patients who missed out on vaccinations received an apology and were rebooked. Some shortages were the result of errors in manual inputs of data. That was being rectified so it should not happen in the future. Under Item 5 below, a discussion further ensued as to blood tests and the speed of reply. AC offered to assist the practice with any representations it wished to make to Peterborough and Kettering hospitals.

Constitution and AGM (AC)

AC presented a pre-circulated draft constitution for the PPG. This was to be presented and adopted at an AGM that was to be scheduled to take place in the Spring of 2026. SE supplied a specimen PPG Constitution and JB suggested that a Schedule of Behaviours be incorporated in the document. That was accepted and AC is to produce the final version for the next meeting.

Data and Patient Participation in Surveys (SD)

SD asked:
1) what has been implemented since the September meeting?
2) Is there data from text messages sent out post appointments?
3) what is planned to actively encourage feedback?

SE replied that the National NHS Patient Survey is due to take place in January and it is considered that there should not be a local survey before that. The practice is aware of survey fatigue and patient interaction at Flu/Covid sessions takes place along with texts for Google reviews.

SD reminded the Practice as to earlier suggestions to harness feedback. Online feedback platforms/text message surveys/paper forms given after consultations/focus groups/listening tables/exit interviews. It was agreed to visit this again at the January meeting. JB explained as to the working of the National Survey.

Social Media

SM presented a paper as to the PPG setting up a Facebook site. This was to be validated, monitored and controlled by the PPG who would at no time have less than 2 members involved in moderating and managing the site. It was agreed to set this up and SM was to link with SE and SD to progress.

JB helpfully set out some of the pitfalls encountered by other PPGs. There is to be a report to each PPG meeting. JB expressed reservations as to hacking, and “ownership” of the site. JB and SM are to liaise as to the use of an “NHS” site, then report back.

Patient Feedback

SO reported on 2 anonymous notes:
1) Can receptionists have name badges so we can pass on positive comments?”
SE said that badges were worn usually so he will look into that.
2) A request as to confusion around a named doctor and change of medication.

The PPG noticeboard was discussed with the display showing how to access the PPG Facebook Site and photos of PPG members. It was agreed that all who wished to should send in a photo to SE.

Reception Attendance by PPG Members

SO suggested that PPG members could attend on a busy Monday morning to assist at reception. If the practice required assistance then SE will put out a call. SO and SE to liaise.

Patients Charter to be displayed on Website

SE reported that the Charter is now displayed.

Beneficial use of COMMS

AC and SMcL asked as to why Comms were not used on the Sept 29th Anima rollout. The Practice decided that a small soft rollout was preferable. It seemed to have worked well.

Recruitment of a new Partner

SMcL asked about the present state of recruitment for this post. It appeared that following an advert, there were no suitable candidates. The idea then seems to have been shelved.

JB indicated that there were fresh costings being taken into account, staff pay rises, and a desire to see what efficiencies come from the Anima rollout. The appointment is not off the table but is in abeyance till April 2026 with the Practice looking at other Medical Practitioners as well. This was stated as being disappointing.

There followed a discussion as to the 9 hours a week that Doctors spend at Oundle School to provide services, for which the School pays, and the Locum provision at the Surgery to cover those absences. It was stated that the Oundle Practice had a number of Patients per Doctor in line with the National average. It was followed by a discussion as to Oundle’s age demographic.

Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme

It was noted that 2 Advanced Nurse Practitioners, a Pharmacy Technician, a QOF Care Coordinator, a Physio and 2 Social Prescribers are funded through this scheme. No application for funding has been rejected by the PCN/NNICB and the Practice is looking at applying for funding for a new Treatment Room Nurse via this scheme.

It is unlikely that sufficient funding for a GP would be available. Also any such GP would probably be newly qualified and require supervision.

AOB

There was tabled some 9 pages of Patient Appointment Data. An explanation was tendered. It was requested that in the future papers should not be tabled but should be circulated prior to the meeting.

SE was asked as to the £130,000 Community Infrastructure Levy payments that are lying with the District Council waiting to be used. What projects are these funds to be used for? No significant work has been done on this and it will be an item on the next agenda.

A discussion ensued as to AI and its use in minute taking. It was agreed to try to run Co Pilot/Teams in tandem with the current system at the next meeting.

Date of Next Meeting

15th January 2026