THE Stonehaven Patient Participation Group, which aims to provide a patient led link between the Medical Practice & the community, held its AGM on Monday – the chairperson Helga Macfarlane has kindly shared her report as presented.
After some false starts following a long lay-off due to the pandemic, the PPG got going again properly in 2024. As a group and also personally as a new member, realistically this year has been about finding our feet – getting to know each other, getting to know the practice and getting to know our patients and their opinions. Nevertheless, I think we have achieved a lot in this learning process.
In February we launched a Facebook page, ran a successful online survey and began a review of the medical practice’s website. This resulted in some significant changes including the addition of an online feedback form, identification of the most used functions and simplification of the ‘Home Page’ to reflect these. But it also flagged up that eConsult remains the number one issue for many patients, particularly the elderly.
We organised three successful events in May, September and October on Dementia, eConsult and Self-Management of Pain, and hosted an opinion gathering session with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, giving patients the opportunity to have their experiences heard by the agency set up to advise Scottish Government policymakers.
Using social media and poster campaigns we attempted to address some of the most frequently asked questions and misconceptions over eConsult and minor injuries, and in October, on behalf of the patients of Stonehaven Medical Group and the wider population of Kincardine and the Mearns, I attended the NHS Grampian Annual Ministerial Review at which I formally requested the board reconsider the withdrawal of our local minor injuries service. I also had the opportunity to meet in person and put our case to Marie Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Well-being and Sport in Scotland. We expect a written response from NHS Grampian early in the New Year.
What we haven’t managed to do is diversify the membership of the PPG. We are delighted to have forged a link with a tremendous group of senior pupils and their teacher at Mackie Academy*, who have done their school proud with their input. Without them though, our meetings would be almost exclusively a sea of grey hair! To properly represent the diverse patient population we need young and old, employed and unemployed, different ethnic backgrounds, locals and incomers – and we need to figure out how to reach them all.
What we also haven’t managed to do, which is a particular source of frustration for me, is find an efficient way of communicating with the medical practice. Whilst we do, of course, acknowledge the pressure of their workload, our relationship needs to be one of an equally committed partnership. Unfortunately as we approached the end of the year we were still far from that, in fact, on numerous occasions I questioned whether the PPG is regarded within the practice as more of a nuisance than a support. However, ultimately we share the same goal – to provide the best healthcare possible for the people of Stonehaven and following some dialogue with Dr Lynn McGurran, I am optimistic this common commitment will see us find a successful way of moving forward involving more of the GP partners rather than relying entirely on Dr Kris McLaughlin. I am very grateful to Assistant Practice Manager Sarah Robertson and Practice Manager Jackie Paul, who have been endlessly patient piggies-in-the-middle, as I pestered for this, that and the next thing.
I believe the group is moving into 2025 on a far stronger footing than last year and with a far sharper focus. I have rarely come across a nicer bunch of people to work with than the members of the PPG and come away from every meeting impressed by the always constructive and courteous debate. Special thanks to Eleanor Cruikshank, Carole Ogston and Philippa Stephens, who have given me constant support and encouragement behind the scenes.
My final comment has to be to the people we represent, the thirteen thousand-plus patients of Stonehaven Medical Group. We need your feedback and we are listening. We know eConsult is still a huge concern for many of you and it therefore remains at the top of our agenda. Please come forward and talk to us about that or any other issue – of course, compliments are always welcome as well!
*Carlotta Ecks, Inga Prior, Iona Edgar, Zoe Guzik, Clark Goldsworthy, Katie Bird. Guidance Teacher Jill Black