About the Patient Participation Group

 

The Patient Participation Group meets regularly to:

  • Help us plan services for patients
  • Give views on our developments so far
  • Direct our aims for the coming year

If you would like to be a member of our patient participation group, it would be helpful if you could complete the Patient Participation Group Application form.

SIGN UP TO THE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG)

 

Patient Participation Group Meeting Minutes

Wednesday 12 February 2025 | 5pm to 6pm

Present Practice Staff:

  • Dr George Verghese, Chair & Partner WHC, 
  • Eileen Marriner, Assistant Practice Manager
  • WHC Ed Galea
  • Reception Supervisor
  • WHC Christopher East
  • Practice Care Coordinator 

Patients present: (23 Patients joined the meeting)

BZ, RB, JS, MS,SW,LC, AH, AC, MG, PC, 

An SMS text invitation to attend our second virtual PPG had been sent to a selection of patients from each age group including patients who had previously participated in our Patient Group meetings. The message advised that the PPG would be held via MS Teams link placed on our website. 10 Patients joined the meeting.

Dr Verghese, welcomed everyone to our second virtual PPG and explained the Agenda was to be shared on screen. Permission was sought and received from those attending for the meeting to be recorded and patient comments included would be anonymised and minutes placed on our website.

Introductions: Dr George Verghese, Chair and Partner of the Practice, lead the introductions and asked the patients present to let us know how long they had been registered with the practice. The majority had been registered 10 years or over.  Dr Verghese apologised for the delay in holding this meeting which had been due to us settling into our new building this past 12 months. Dr Verghese also thanked the patients for providing support to the practice which had enabled us to secure our current accomodation. Patients had lobbied local Councillors, MPs and the local Council of our behalf and those efforts had been much appreciated.   Dr Verghese advised that going forward the practice will hold remote meetings with patients every 6 months. 

 

Agenda

The Agenda shared on screen included the following:

  1. Changes at the Practice including staffing changes
  2. New Premises
  3. NHS App
  4. Q & A   
 

1. Changes at the Practice: 

Dr Maynard (Partner Retirement): Dr Verghese explained that Dr Deborah Maynard (Partner) had retired from the Practice last October after several years’ service.  A celebration was held for her prior to her departure and some patients of longstanding were invited to attend to wish her farewell.

New Partner: Dr Tarek Radwan: Dr Maynard’s role had been taken on by a new Partner Dr Tarek Radwan who has extensive primary care experience and we believe he will be a real asset to the Practice, especially in driving forward improvement in services.     

Practice Nurse: Alison Ewen:  The Practice had recruited a new Practice Nurse, Alison Ewen. Alison will be joining the team in May 2025. 

Clinical/Admin Teams: Dr Verghese provided an update on our current clinical and Admin Teams; the practice has 5 salaried GPs, one GP Training Doctor, 2 Physician Associates, a Mental Health Nurse, 2 part time First Contact Physiotherapists, Care Coordinator and 2 Pharmacists.  

The Nursing teams comprises an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), a Practice Nurse and a Health Care Assistant.  The Senior Management Team consists of a Business Manager, Rona Sian, Assistant Practice Manager, Eileen Marriner and a Reception Supervisor, Ed Galea.  We also have a team of 7 Administrators. 

Further details of our staffing teams can be found on our website.

 

2. New Premises

Dr Verghese advised that a bid had been made for the Christian Aid Building (basement, ground and first floors only) 42 Lower Marsh which it is hoped would become a permanent home for the practice along with Lambeth Walk Group Practice who are also require permanent accomodation. If the bid is successful both practices would share the same building at least initially, before possibly merging with Lambeth Walk Group Practice at a later stage. The outcome of the bid will not be known for a few months yet and patients would be kept informed of developments. The practice would remain in our current temporary accomodation for the next 1-2 years.  

Community Support: Dr Verghese acknowledged the importance of local activism in securing our current premises and emphasized the need for community support for the new building. 

Consultation: Dr Verghese stated the need for patient consultation to ensure the new premises meet the needs of the community  to ensure we maintain high standards of care. 

 

3. NHS App

Dr Verghese highlighted the importance of using the  NHS App to order medication, view notes and access test results.  We aim for 60%-70%  population usage.  Dr Verghese encouraged  patients to use  the NHS App for better access to healthcare services, while also providing alternative methods for those unable to use the App.

“MYCHART”  the Guy’s, St Thomas’  and  King’s APP is hoped to merge with the NHS App at some time but there is no plans for this. There is no way the GP surgery can see the content of a patient’s MYCHART at present.

 

4. Q & A with Patients

Dr Verghese invited questions from patients.  Some of the queries raised were as follows:

Physician Associates: Patient RA expressed concerns about the lack of clarity when seeing Physician Associates, as she was not informed about their role during appointments. Dr Verghese acknowledged the issue and agreed to improve communication regarding the roles of different healthcare professionals.  
 

Introduction Protocol: Dr Verghese stated that Physician Associates and other healthcare professionals should introduce themselves and their roles during appointments and this protocol would be reinforced. 
 

Website Update: Dr Verghese agreed to update the practice website with information about the roles and responsibilities of different healthcare professionals to ensure patients are well informed.  
 

Communication & Engagement: Patient’s BZ & RA emphasized the need for better communication and engagement with patients, including more proactive updates and clearer information on the website. This feedback was acknowledged and Dr Verghese agreed to work on improving communication.

Push Communication: patient BZ suggested using more Push communications methods such as emails and texts to keep patients informed about important updates and meetings.  

Target engagement: Dr Verghese acknowledged the need for targeted communication with vulnerable groups, such as the homeless and those with severe mental illness, to ensure their needs are met.  

 

Conclusion of Meeting

Dr Verghese thanked everyone for participating and sharing their thoughts and suggestions. 

Follow-up tasks for Practice Action:

  • Regular Meeting Schedule: Schedule the next PPG meeting for approximately four months from now to discuss updates on the new building. (Ed, Eileen)
  • Doctor Availability Information: Update the website to include the regular working days of each doctor to help patients know when their preferred doctor is available. (Ed, Eileen)
  • Physician Associate Role Clarity: Ensure that physician associates and other allied health professionals clearly introduce their roles to patients during appointments and update the website with descriptions of these roles. (Ed, Eileen)
  • Communication Improvement: Enhance communication methods by considering more proactive (push) communication strategies to keep patients informed about meetings and other important updates. (Ed, Eileen)
  • Joint PPG Consultation: Plan a joint PPG consultation with Lambeth Walk to discuss  merger if that was being planned and gather patient feedback on the proposed changes. (George, Ed, Eileen)
  • Dr George Verghese

GP Partner Waterloo Health Centre