Patient Participation Group Newsletter

Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 3DL

Summer 2012 Issue 2

There was and still is strong opposition to the government’s reform of the NHS, especially around the question of creeping privatization – begun under Labour – but now that the Health and Social Care Act has been passed, it is time for patients to take the opportunities available to get more involved and ensure that at all levels the NHS is protected and made accountable to our needs. Below are two small examples of how this has already been done at Oak Street and how it

might be done in Norwich more generally.

Patients’ Power And Changes To The NHS - Making It Real

The Oak Street Patient Participation Group (PPG), formed about a year ago, was instrumental in developing a recent patient survey, the results from which were reported in our Spring newsletter. One of the questions in this survey sought patients views on the development of the triage system used to cope with 'on the day' demand for appointments. The results were extremely favourable (96% approval rating). This told the practice that they were on the right lines and that it needed to develop the process further and make it sustainable. From the doctors’ perspective, the only downside to the triage system at the time was serious fatigue due to working under the pressure generated. As a result, on Dr. Robinson’s retirement and Sr. Ambrose’s move to a more administration-centred job, their roles have been replaced with a new partner and a new salaried GP (Dr. Gure and Dr. Elfara). This will help to provide extra GP time to make the process work in a sustainable way. The skill mix in the nursing team to compliment these changes has also be instituted. So, what might appear to be a relatively minor patients’ intervention has significantly influenced practice development. Members of the Oak Street PPG are interested to hear any views patients might have on the services provided at the practice and how they can be improved. We are also always on the lookout for those who want to join with us in supporting the practice.

Oak Street patient survey leads to positive change

At the end of September the Oak Street PPG hosted a meeting at which Laura McCartney-Gray, the engagement manager of the Norwich CCG, gave a presentation on the new commissioning body. Representatives from PPGs at two other Norwich practices also attended. The new Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were established under the Health and Social Care Bill, to replace the existing Primary Care Trusts and to plan and buy health services for the local populations. The National Commissioning Board calculates and allocates budgets to the CCGs. The budgets are based on population and de-mographics. The Norwich CCG covers 23 member practices in the Norwich (80% NCC) & Broadland (20%Broadland DC) ar-ea, a total of 204,000 patients, and will shadow the PCT until it takes over in April 2013. The Norwich CCG aims to improve health and wellbeing for all the people of Norwich by reducing health inequalities and working in partnership with the public sector. Using health and wellbeing indicators for Norwich and comparing these with national figures, it has been possible to highlight areas of concern and an action plan has been devised to address these. The plan can be found at http://www.norwichccg.nhs.uk/4,36668.htm

The Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group - What it means for you

A public consultation on the Norwich CCG is currently taking place. The four key questions being asked are:

How can we help older people stay well, independent, and living in their own homes?

How can we encourage people to care for their own health and make healthy choices?

How can we help people to make better choices about using health services, such as A&E, GP or community pharmacies?

How do you want to be involved with the CCG, to help improve health services in the Norwich area?

To complete the survey online go to http://www.norwichccg.nhs.uk/4,36668.htm or if you would like to be sent a copy by post or to request the document in another format such as large print, Braille or another language, contact Laura McCartney-Gray on 01603 751638, laura.mccartney-gray@nhs.net. She will also be able to provide information on how you can get more directly involved in the work of the CCG by becoming a member of their Community Involvement Panel. An outline of Laura’s presentation can be found on the PPG website at: www.oakstreet.gpsurgery.net

In this issue we offer short introductions of two of our six-person group. Other members will be showcased in forthcoming editions. Bill Albert - Chair of PPG

I have lived in Norwich since 1968, when I joined what was then the Willow Lane Surgery, which subse-quently moved to Pottergate and then to Oak Street. I taught history at UEA

until 1992. In 1996 I was one of the founding members of the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People. I chaired the organisation for seven years and was CEO from 2005 until 2008. I served as a member of the UK Human Genetics Commission from 1999 to 2006, as well as chairing a number of local committees on social care and health. Much of my work has been devoted to making sure disabled people enjoy independent and dignified lives by having a strong voice so that in decisions that effect our lives there is ‘Nothing about us without us.’

Meet members of your Patient Partici-pation Group

I hope that the newly–formed PPG will become a vehicle for realising this ideal for Oak Street patients, as well as a grassroots platform for protecting the NHS from the slow poison of privatisation. I am married and have five grown­up children and two grandchildren. Paul Wilson—Acting Secretary PPG

I was born in Norwich and educated in Norwich and Sheffield. I have been a patient at the Oak Street Medical Practice since its formation over 20 years ago. I have lived with my partner Sal-ly in Duke Street since 1988. I qualified as a chartered structural engineer in 1987 and have worked from our home in Duke Street since 1993. I have always taken an interest

with healthcare, especially over the last 20 years, as I have needed an increasing amount of it. The formation of the PPG last year has given me an opportunity to find out more about the NHS and the work carried out at the Oak Street Medical Practice. The recent introduction of the Clinical Commissioning Groups has concerned me as we have been told it is possible to “provide better healthcare on a smaller budget”.

If you would like to become a member of the Oak Street PPG or let us know how the practice

can be improved, please contract Martin Stephens, the practice manager on

01603 613431

Get involved make a difference

Are the telephone lines too busy in the morning?

Trouble getting through?

Call a little later when the telephone

lines are less busy, between 9.00 and 9.30 am for easier access to a

receptionist.

Dr Dent

Clinical Lead/Partner

Dr Estifanos

Partner

Dr Cooke

Partner

Dr Adams

Partner

Dr Elfara

GP

Martin Stephens

Practice Manager

Jane Hunt

ICT Support

Practice Nurses

Carol Robinson

Debbie Burrell

Mo Campbell

Mickey Barber

Nursing Assistants

Diane Owens

Jane Mason

Linda Goodby

Oak Street Staff

Dr Dent

Clinical Lead/Partner

Dr Estifanos

Partner

Dr Gure

Partner

Dr Fitzpatrick

Partner

Theresa Aldis

Office Manager

Medical Secretaries

Justine Broadhead

Lyndsey Graham

Tracey McAnulty

Kim Bishop

Reception/Admin

Marian Clarke

Joy Peters

Nicky Bell

Debbie Graci

Kerry Rowe

Lori Durrant

Natalie Bishop

Oak Street Norwich NR3 3DL

01603 613431 www.oakstreet.gpsurgery.net