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The practice has a very active Patient group, made up of patients of various age groups, some with a variety of illness. This is advertised in the waiting area and any member of the practice can attend the meeting and if they are unable to attend meetings they are encouraged to pass on any comments to the Practice Manager. They can either do this in writing or via the practice e-mail. The practice carried out a Patient survey during February and asked questions agreed by the Patient Group and also the questions outlined in the Direct Enhanced Service - Patient Questionnaire provided by County Durham and Darlington NHS.

You can download the Results of the Questionnaire and a Review of the Questionnaire.

Patient Participation Group

Aim

Our aim was to develop our existing group of patients representative of our practice population who would meet on a regular basis to offer feedback on services provided by the practice, these patients are made up of various age groups, some with a variety of illness.

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This was mainly done in the Health centre waiting area, but also...

• Practice Website

• ‘Jayex’ board (electronic board in waiting area)

• Messages were added to repeat prescriptions

• Staff personally asked patients if they would be interested in joining the group

Group Members

Our meetings are held every 8 – 12 weeks. The Gp and Practice manager attend all meetings, members include: 3 married couples, 1 Barrister, 3 ladies who attend various groups in Shildon, 1 lady under 42. We are trying to recruit younger members.

The Patient Survey

The patient participation group met on 8th January 2013

At the meeting it was decided that we should use mainly the same questions as last year.  The practice had undergone a total refurbishment and as most of the negative comments were regarding the building, it was felt that we should look at whether we have addressed the patients concerns fully.  We also changed the Nurse (Sharon) to the HCA (Chris) as we had a new health care Assistant.

This would be sent out late January asking for return by the 3rd February for collation in February and advertising.

The next meeting of the group was held on Wednesday 6th February, the results of the survey were discussed and a breakdown of the questions and answers were given to the group.

Summary of Survey Questions and Results

The practice was very pleased with the positive feedback of the survey, The refurbishment seems to have addressed all the issues of the previous survey.  All the results are higher for the better in every question asked.  Last years priorities have been met it seems.

Practice priorities from 2011/2012

Reception area needs to be more private 2011/2012 –  The reception desk has be totally re-designed and music playing so that patients should not be overheard.  Also an area for patients to stand away from the desk has been organized so they do not feel over crowed.

Building needs updating 2011/2012  - The whole building has been totally refurbished including new doors, ceilings, floors, totally re-decorated and two new reception desks.

Telephone Consultations and new triarge system – These need to be advertised more on the JXboard, back of prescriptions and in the newsletter 2011/2012  -  This seems to be working well as more patients said they were aware of it in the survey.

Practice priorities from 2012/2013

Disabled car parking has been asked for by a few patients and this was suggested in the survey.  This will be look at with the PCT and local council.

Have your say - Patient Reference Group

Are you interested in the local NHS and want to get involved in making decisions about the future of local health services? A new patient reference group is being set up in the Sedgefield locality - covering Chilton, Ferryhill, Fishburn, Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Shildon, Spennymoor, Trimdon and West Cornforth - which provides an opportunity for patient representatives to influence the planning and purchasing of health and social care services locally. If you would like more information, please contact: Karen Kennedy on 07971 895294, email: kkennedy2@nhs.net or Nicola Hepple, patient and public engagement lead on 07887752650, email nhepple@nhs.net.