About Friends of the Croft

Friends of The Croft Monthly Meeting

Summary of Discussion

Welcome new attendees

KA welcomes the three new attendees, Gemma, Simon and Mary to the meeting asking all three to introduce themselves.  

Previous Minutes

Previous meeting minutes discussed- KA confirms when moved into new build the Partners will hopefully be able to attend meetings, KA explains that meetings will be on site therefore easier for partners to attend even if briefly. 

Members of the group mention that currently only 2 minute walk away, what is the difference? Is the group just a tick boxing exercise or is the group appreciated? Do the GP partners see the minutes of each meeting? 

KA responds- Not all surgeries have a PPG, definitely not a box ticking exercise, all partners see the minutes, minutes are also published on the website for viewing. KA wants to inform partners what the group is doing, decisions made not the other way round otherwise the group loses some of power. KA has developed a Constitution for all to view and respond with opinions. All agree the ultimate outcome for the group is patient care. Should there be more members? KA states currently have 263 members with only the usual amount of around 8/9 attending meetings, how is the group promoted to patients? KA informs promoted by posters, social media, website, new patient registrations. KA feels practice manager is a good go between for the group, KA confirms he has regular meetings with practice manager re. group and anything that needs raising with GP’s is discussed at Partner meetings held regularly Members of the group feel the group need recognition, KA reiterates he has developed the constitution, for all to view this and build the team from there. KA envisions having 1 main group who met two times a year than the usual 6 weekly meetings for all. 

New Premises update

KA informs group all looking good and on target. Keys should be handed over the week before August Bank holiday weekend. Inside walls are up. The space for the pharmacy is so big it’s estimated the current croft building would be able to fit in it. Will the new pharmacy effect 5 Villages Pharmacy? No. What about prescriptions? Prescriptions can be sent electronically now to anywhere in the country if needed.  Is there decent parking? Yes even with the amount of patients registering going to rise? We currently have around 13000 patients. Group are concerned there will not be enough parking. KA to enquire re this. Is the adjacent field connected to the new build site? No. There used to be sign on door stating patients will be charged if parked on kerbside but this is no longer there. KA reiterates staff are not allowed to park in current car park due to limited spaces. KA moves on to state a weekend is being arranged for IT to move in to new build. It has been confirmed the practice will not close its doors for the move but the decision on whether clinical staff or administrative staff move over first in a staggered move is still to be made. Group decides it is most important to communicate the move to all patients. KA agrees whole group discuss various ways to promote this, in the local papers, leaflets, parish notice boards word of mouth, letters to patients without IT knowledge, Social media, Website, text messages, Parish magazines, WhatsApp groups that streets, communities have. Will the move bring in more Dr’s? Yes but not immediately. Most if not all clinical staff are under 3 month notice contracts so will need to start looking for staff in advance. Will there be a grand opening? Yes group discuss who should open surgery, local MP, Harry Hill, Alistar Campbell (local)? KA to call JS by Monday to confirm if JS should ask local MP when has meeting soon. Gemma informs group according to application there will be 36 standard car parking spaces, 8 accessable an ambulance and taxi bay for patients 2 spaces will have chargeable EV charging points also. Staff will have 28 parking bays. Group feel this is not enough, there will never be enough spaces. The car park needs to be inclusive for all types of cars. KA states this is a conversation to be having next year not now, KA agrees to discuss with practice manager.

Sustainability

Where will the EV spaces be? KA confirms the practice will be one of if not the first eco- surgeries in the country. There will be solar panels on the roof creating energy to plough back into the practice to help with costs KA informs he has received information re grants form DD and has sent off some applications already. 14 panels on the roof to run lighting, these won’t be seen from the local area, should be fairly well hidden, these will be funded by the health authority. 

Fund raising

KA passes a copy of the constitution around for each member to view. KA would like to have the constitution set up and running soon for charity status, this would involve the group having its own bank account, Sam Pegg is happy to be involved in this as  has history in setting up charities. JA confirms the responsibility for anyone willing to be a trustee is huge KA has been offered help from the founder of Tyler’s Trust. Bureaucracy needs to be kept to a minimum. Efforts need to be centred on improving patient’s experience. Purpose of the trust is to raise additional funds, show where the money is and benefiting patients. Objectives needs to be aligned. Phlebotomists chair has been ordered and on way. Phlebotomist is extremely happy. Cost £13,000 donor(s) of this chair does not want any recognition. Lottery funding should be simple up to £20,000. Sensory room will need funding. Need to promote the new surgery to potential new staff as group feel the patient numbers will expand quickly. Will there be a wish list of items needed? Yes as funding the practice receives is limited due to running costs and lease to be paid by practice. KA would like to push for a minor injuries unit onsite, group agree this is a good idea and feel this could be cost effective. How will the group raise money? Running out of time? KA reiterates constitution needs to be put in place then move on from there. The group need to use its voice back to the practice stating what patients require. KA is keen on holding a prostate check clinic wants to know what group thinks. Is this something a communication subgroup could do? It is decided this would be like opening Pandora’s box and better placed to hang notices, directory of services made available for patients. KA to look into this, researching other website possibly contacting Professor Heather Payne.

A.O.B

Gemma parish council has been contacted by a member of the community asking If a form of a pedestrian crossing can be placed in Eastergate? Gemma asks the group on opinions, all agree this is needed. TS assures group practice will want to support this also. Any help re petitions etc to just ask. Gemma confirms will take this back to the parish council and update us at next meeting. Will a clear notice board go up outside the new building? Unsure if planning will be needed for this Gemma will look into. Member of team happy to be used as an example for PSA if needed. KA thanks group member. Is name still being changed? Yes this is still an ongoing discussion. KA to email a copy of constitution to Mary please as never received a copy. 

Armed Forces Covenant

KA informs group he is clinical lead on this, we are one of the only accredited surgeries to have applied for Armed forces covenant bronze award. Practice manager wants us to aim for Gold but KA starting with bronze then will move up. Group feel this is great as frees up some vital NHS appointments. 

Confirm date of next meeting

Next meeting 10th May 2024 2pm at Eastergate Village Hall.