AMC PPG (Acronyms! don't you just love them)

Chairman's View From Audlem Medical Practice PPG

The Patient Participation Group (PPG) enables a two-way channel of communication between patients and the GP Practice. It means any suggestions, feedback or updates relating to the patient experience can be presented both ways in minuted meetings.

During the lock down period we have been meeting every 3 months, albeit virtually. Our most recent meeting was on Thursday 20th January, where we had the pleasure of welcoming 2 new members bringing our current membership up to a total of 8 volunteers.

Here is a very brief summary of just some of the discussions at that meeting:

Audlem Medical Practice is in a group of 5 Practices (Wrenbury, and the 3 Nantwich Practices in Church View), in what is called a Primary Care Network.

One of the big advantages of having this arrangement is that the Practice is able to provide a number of supporting roles, known as "additional roles", to complement the GPs and Nurses.

At present we have a Social Prescribing Link Worker (Michael), a Nurse Associate (Alicja), a Pharmacist (Dan) and a Physiotherapist (Tony), all working in the Practice.

There is also a new nurse (Michelle) creating extra nurse appointments, and extra reception capacity to help to reduce the wait times for the phone.

It will therefore come as no surprise to find that Planning Permission has been applied for to provide an extended reception and waiting area, along with more admin space and consultation rooms. Work is anticipated to start in the Autumn.

The appointment system continues as it is now with patients being offered their preferred choice of face to face or telephone appointments.

Points were raised by PPG Members on a variety of topics including health MOTs/screening and hospital discharge procedure.

If you would like to apply to join our PPG please contact Michael Willcocks at the Practice.

We are especially keen to recruit some young members to have a PPG membership that accurately reflects our whole patient demographic. We currently have about 2 vacancies.

Our next meeting will be at the end of March.

Geoff Smethurst, Chair.