• Yarn Barton, Beaminster
• Present: DW (Chair), CF, CW, AJ, SH, AM, CR, RG, Dr TM.
• Apologies: CB, GF (Treasurer), DP, CK

Update – introductions and actions from previous meeting.

• Plaque arrived for BP machine but not yet on machine
• No changes yet made to online process for raising concerns or comments. AM will email members for comments on an updated form of wording.
• Sharing with Bridport PPG on hold as currently no active PPG in Bridport

Ammonite update

AM shared NHS administered patient survey. Overall very positive results in all areas with exception of contacting the practice by phone or on website. Surgery plans to share results on website. DW requested results from 2024 in order to make comparisons.

Concerns from patients now followed up by member of staff dedicated for this role in order to try to resolve issues and avoid unnecessary escalation.

Clinical teams now settled and minimal turnover of staff occurring. 1 new salaried GP. 3 registrars in training.

Triage hub and call back system has improved in efficiency. CR reports further improvements to system proposed for later in year but not yet finalized. CW proposed having members of PPG trial new aspects of system may be helpful prior to their introduction.

Maiden Newton improvements should be finished in first week of February.

PPG board should be fixed by end of this week and white boards will be in waiting room.

Blood pressure machine can be ordered for MN once painting finally completed.

Good uptake of flu and covid vaccine. Flu vaccine can still be had until end March. Changes in childhood imms program being implemented.

CQC inspection ongoing this week. PPG chair has been asked for feedback to CQC as part of the process. His reply will be shared with PPG members for comment before submission. Results will be published on CQC website and on surgery website in future.

New PPG members

Ideally additional members needed to represent Tunnel Road surgery. AM has asked PPG members to send comment on what wording needed on notice or that can be on prescription bags to encourage recruits.

Finance report.

Sent to all members by GF prior to meeting.

Thanks to GF for battling with the online banking systems to make the necessary changes as agreed.

Feedback from patient reps

AJ outlined a patient complaint to group. CR advised that patient contact the surgery, and it will be acknowledged, all details investigated and responded to.

DW has reports from C

Parts of carpark at Maiden Newton are very dark as light is not triggered across all of car park.

Comments that repeat prescribing has been working well. Surgery acknowledged GF ’s help with volunteer driver for prescription service.

NHS app is not tying in with the surgery appointments app. This may be a national problem with the NHS app. CR is hopeful of increased opportunities for self-booking of appoints for blood tests later in the year.

AGM plans

The AGM for the PPG to be planned for May. Request that Ammonite provide clinical input session to run with the AGM, CR suggested hypertension could be useful subject.

Set dates for PPG meetings for the rest of 2025

All meetings will take place from 4.00pm – 5.15pm:

• 14th April in Maiden Newton, Webbers Piece
• 14th July in Beaminster, venue to be confirmed
• 13th Oct at Webbers Piece, Maiden Newton
• 12th Jan in Beaminster, venue TBC

AOB

DW thanked Bekkie Webb for her invaluable input in getting PPG running. She has left group as has moved and no longer patient at Ammonite surgery

Meeting closed at 5.03 pm.

• Location: Bridport Medical Centre
• Ammonite Representatives: AM AMa CG Dr AF MM
• PPG representatives: BB BH RC SM GP KL

Welcome and introductions

AM welcomed the group and introductions were made.

Ammonite updates

CG delivered updates from the reception team:

• Staffing updates- GS has recently joined the team and is doing brilliantly, GR has passed her probation and will be staying with the team.
• CG explained to the group that she creates the wellbeing displays in the reception area. March is Ovarian Cancer awareness along with the 11th of March being smoking prevention day.
• CG has recently qualified as a Mental Health first aider.
• CG has created a new patient satisfaction questionnaire, it still needs a few tweaks but will be out shortly

AMa delivered some updates from the nursing team:

• Consent forms are now required prior to RSV, pneumonia, flu and shingles vaccinations. Patients will need to complete the consent form in order for the vaccination to go ahead, whether this is a paper copy or sent via a link
• We will be taking part in the covid spring booster program for patients aged 75 and over. Those that are eligible will be sent an invitation. There will be some Saturday clinics and availability during the week.
• LSt-diabetic nurse- has returned and will be working at BMC on a Thursday and Friday, along with a Wednesday at Tunnel Road.

In touch AI

MM presented a PowerPoint to the group , looking at a new in touch AI system the practice is considering, with the aim of improving access whilst supporting the reception team.

This is still in the development/testing stages with more information to follow.

PPG going forwards

There was some discussion about finding a new chairperson and notetaker for the group, as well as looking for new members.

It was agreed that it would be beneficial if all PPG members from all 3 sites were able to meet and share ideas, agreed to look at a potential yearly meeting to collaborate the 2 groups.

It was also suggested to have a look at the PPG ToR to see if any updates or improvements can be made.

GP raised the idea of looking at how we can better understand how secondary care works, e.g. what happens after a referral has been made.

Next meeting

May 2026, date to be confirmed.