Patient Information for Veterans at Aspen

 

September Countywide PPG Network Meeting

 Gloucestershire Patient Participation Group (PPG) Network 

Friday 24 September 2021 (10:00 – 11:30)

Link to meeting: https://bit.ly/PPGNetworkSep2021

09:30            Login and technology problem solving

We will be online 30 minutes before the meeting starts to allow you (and us) time to ensure all technology is working as well as it can.

10:00            Welcome, programme for the morning, introductions and update

Becky Parish - Associate Director, Engagement and Experience

NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) 

10:10            Social Prescribing

Hannah Gorf – Commissioning Development Manager: Social Prescribing and Creative Health, NHS Gloucestershire CCG

Sam Couldrey - Social Prescribing Link Worker

Tewkesbury, West Cheltenham, Newent and Staunton Primary Care Network (TWNS PCN)

10:25            Spotlight on … Patient feedback

Susie Compton – Engagement Officer, Healthwatch Gloucestershire

Katherine Holland – Patient and Public Engagement Manager, NHS Gloucestershire CCG

11:10            AOB            

11:15           Sum up, messages and close main PPG network meeting - Becky Parish 

11:20           BREAK

11:30           Locality Session – Cotswolds    

12:00           Finish         

In preparation for the ‘Spotlight’ agenda item please find links to two relevant documents:

• Accessing care through GP Practices in Gloucestershire (Healthwatch Gloucestershire: February 2021)

• National GP Survey 2021 Latest Survey Results – NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (Powerpoint)

Reports and information of interest

• Healthwatch Gloucestershire have also published the following report into social isolation and loneliness in Gloucestershire which I’m sure you will find interesting.

Let’s talk about social isolation and loneliness in Gloucestershire (Healthwatch Gloucestershire: September 2021)

• Inclusion Gloucestershire have published the following headline report as a result of their work in understanding the areas of everyday life that causes concern or worry for people in Gloucestershire facing disabling barriers.
• Inclusion Gloucestershire survey – headline report (Inclusion Gloucestershire: September 2021)

NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group Annual General Meeting to be held Thursday 23 September 2021. Please use the link below for further information and to book a place. 

https://www.gloucestershireccg.nhs.uk/nhs-gloucestershire-ccg-agm-23-september-2021-4-45pm/

To keep up to date with local healthcare news you can always visit https://www.gloucestershireccg.nhs.uk/category/news/

Supporting our Veterans

 

What’s happening in General Practice?

We have received a few enquiries regarding access to appointments, long waits on telephones, I can’t see my regular GP, my surgery has been closed throughout the pandemic and many more enquiries about the practice.

All these topics have been discussed with the practice and like all practices nationally, Aspen is no different.  The pandemic has obviously caused the practice to operate differently and the branch surgeries have been used as Covid hot hubs.  The hubs have now shifted which has allowed Saintbridge to open and Tuffley to be used as the Covid hot hub.  Moving towards winter it is important that the practice continues to deliver vaccinations and will be offering additional flu and Covid booster clinics.  This is also alongside delivering day to day care.  

What happens when I call for an appointment?  Patients will be navigated through the care navigation process to determine the appropriate triage route.  Care navigators have a mixture of admin and clinicians working behind the scenes dealing with calls, online consultations to provide the patient with the most efficient care pathway.  If your need is assessed as urgent, a GP or clinician will call patients to determine if you need to attend a face to face appointment.

Why am I number 34 in the telephone queue? The demand on practices are far greater than it was before the pandemic.  The practice provides services for over 30,000 registered patients and the demand for primary care services, have shown an increase that impacts the length of time patients would need to wait in the queue.  If your enquiry is not urgent try using eConsult on the practice website or use the pharmacy services.  If your need is urgent call NHS111 or use services at minor injury units. If your concern is life threatening you should call 999.

Why is the receptionist so rude? This is not the case and receptionists are being subjected to abuse on top of the pressure from taking enquiries at the front desk, which are holding queues up and having a knock effect with waiting longer than usual, and in some cases patients missing their appointments.  The practice has switched the patient check-in screens on to try and ease the pressure on the reception.  The PPG will continue to work with the practice and patients to represent the patients views. We are committed to working with the practice to improve services and we are always looking for dynamic patients to join our team.  If you would like to join please get in touch.

 

 

“WalkTalkWalk” Patient Communications

The Patient Participation Group has planned a number of walks to support patients who want to be more mobile or get active.  The walks are inclusive for anyone and everyone who wants to attend.  To share the details we have asked the practice to advertise on the Practices website social media platforms and via text messages to patients.

Unfortunately, some patients have objected to receiving these text messages due to personal health circumstances, in which they can not take part.  We acknowledge that it might not be suitable for everyone to take part and in future we will add a disclaimer to our messages to ensure we do not offend anyone who feels it is inappropriate to receive these messages.

As a PPG, we are committed to supporting Aspen patients along with working in partnership with the practice.  This is a good opportunity to take the first steps towards a healthy lifestyle.

If you do take part, we would like to hear from you with some feedback on the activity we are providing.

Aspen Parking

Aspen practice have a new parking scheme in place for patients attending appointments.  Once you have parked in the designated areas, please ensure you book your vehicle registration in the parking pads just inside reception, which are located near the appointment check-in screens.  There is no charge for parking, however if you do not enter your details you will receive a penalty notice from the parking company.

PPG "WalkTalkWalk" Group

This is a new PPG initiative to support patients with movement and getting active.  As part of our health and wellbeing and supported by the practice, members of the PPG will host walks to increasing accessibility to support patients trying to be more active through walking.

This is the perfect opportunity to join the group for a gentle walk and meet other members of the group.

"WalkTalkWalk" group invite you to join us for a stroll.  Walks have been planned at Barnwood Arboretum on the following dates:

• Thursday 23rd September 2021 at 11:00am | Walk around Barnwood Park and the Arboretum | Park and meet by the park at St Lawrence Church
• Thursday 30th September 2021 at 11:00am | Walk around Barnwood Park and the Arboretum | Park and meet by the park at St Lawrence Church
• Saturday 2nd October 2021 at 11:00am | Walk around Saintbridge balancing pond | Park and meet on Askwith Road by the Saintbridge Surgery
• Thursday 14th October 2021 at 11:00am | CANCELLED