Latest Meeting Minutes

Members/apologies

Welcome

Val welcomed everyone to the meeting and we began with an ‘around the room’ self-introduction.

Apologies

Apologies had been received from Sadie and Mandy. Mandy had indicated that for the time being she would participate as a virtual member.

Minutes Approval and Matters Arising and Actions from the 12th May meeting

Westbank Website Development:

Comments on the new website had been fed back to James and Val was meeting James tomorrow to discuss. Once changes had been finalised James would feedback to the website provider for implementation.  Adrian (with extensive IT experience) was providing help and input to James.

2026- 20 year celebration and publicity:

Val and Anne had met prior to the meeting and produced initial thoughts and ideas.  These were circulated to all prior to the meeting.  Discussion followed and built on the ideas presented.  It was felt that a list of achievements of the PPG was needed to support any activity.

Val and Anne to meet again to develop ideas further. 

All: to feed in additional ideas etc to Val or Anne 

Claire to trawl archive of PPG Minutes to pick out documented achievements. 

Age UK Scamming Awareness Training:

Anette had secured commitment from Age UK to hold an event 25th or 26th September, 1.30 - 4.30pm at Kenton Village Hall.  The hall was provisionally booked and could accommodate 90+ people.  The event would be promoted in Exminster and Teignmouth.  Age UK would secure local police input and (it was thought) fund the hall hire and posters. 

Target audience was discussed.  Whilst it was felt that the sessions should be open to all Age UK were clearly focussed on the older population. 

Sarah suggested that there was scope to have a session at WHLC.  Adrian suggested that the session could be videoed and put up on community websites. 

Christine had been in touch with Exminster Parish Council (EPC) to see if they would give support or wish to take the lead if targeted to the whole community wide.  The response was directing to the grant application on EPC website. 

Anette to check with Age UK on which costs they would cover. 

Westbank HLC Fundraising:

Sarah has asked for facts that would support approaches/application for funding/grants eg. number of people using patient transport. Sarah is also trying to establish what WHLC fundraising plans are and if they include any application for grants. 

WHLC have never applied for any grants from any of the Parish Councils but there was currently an application with  

EPC for Cafe on the Corner. 

David’s focus was with local and county councils. 

National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP)

Claire confirmed that the PPG were members and Val confirmed that she had since received communications from them including information about the Corkhill Award.  Christine said that the NAPP website suggested that support materials were available to PPGs and wondered if there was any output that shared ‘best practice’ and ideas, especially from the PPGs that get shortlisted for the award.

Canvassing Patients in Surgery

Anette had identified Saturday 21st June and 19th July with Claire for next sessions.  9-11am or 2.30-5pm.  Anette was going to canvass on 16th June and 19th July.  Jan and Nigel would cover other sessions.  Claire emphasised that a direct response from the surgery to an issue raised can be offered if the person is willing to give contact details.  Jan and Nigel both questioned whether more structure to the questions (questionnaire?) would benefit.

Online Teaching Resource:

Claire confirmed that SystemOnLine did have a ‘How to’ teaching guide. 

It was recognised by all that the array of different patient record online access points eg. MyCare, SystemOnLine, NHS app and Airmid was potentially confusing.  Val asked if the waiting rooms could have a poster to explain how they interact/what they are for.  Claire suggested that James could come up with a design. 

James to design poster. 

Video Demonstration for HEIDI (Medical Scribe for UK clinicians) in GP waiting rooms:

Claire reported that James had put information on the Practice website explaining HEIDI.

Digital Support Offer for GP Practice Update:

Claire reported that she was waiting for response from Healthwatch.

DNAs - Age profile of non attenders and mobile phone numbers:

Fortunately DNAs at the Practice were relatively low but there were no identifiable common characteristics that could be addressed to reduce further the DNAs.

Practice Update

Dr Clarke was to go on maternity leave and her position was being covered by Dr Katie Morris.

News from Westbank HLC

Sarah had only recently joined WHLC and was herself learning the extent of WHLC activities.  She asked what the PPG would like her to report on.  Val asked for information on what WHLC offer.  The PPG could then, over time, include information in the village Newsletters as a ‘Did you know ….’

RDE Voices Group

Jan’s report on the last meeting held on 15/5/2025 had been circulated prior to the meeting. 

Val and Anette asked if there was any opportunity to make a contribution to the Patient Experience Strategy. 

Jan to ask if PPG can contribute. 

Virtual Membership

Val posed the question: what do virtual members get from the PPG, what does the PPG get from the virtual members?   

Anette reminded us all that having a virtual membership was to facilitate inclusivity. 

Val proposed that a sub group should discuss the role of, and communication with, virtual members and patients more widely.  Christine, Val and Anette volunteered to form sub group. 

Christine to lead on sub group and to bring proposal back to the next meeting

Correspondence

Adrian had emailed with  feedback on his observations during a visit to the Starcross surgery.  Points raised were discussed.  Action to be taken: noticeboards: it was recognised that they needed to be managed more proactively and with tighter messaging.   

Sarah: To explore option of WHLC volunteer taking on the role. 

Sadie had provided an invite to anyone on the PPG to the Carers Friendly Conference being held tomorrow (10th June).  Christine confirmed that she had signed up to attend the morning session - Carers Q&A. 

AOB

Ide Lane PPG had contacted Claire to ask if we were intending to have an Exeter wide PPG meeting.  It was decided that since there had been such a poor response on the last attempt it would not be pursued. 

Next Meeting Date

• Monday, 14th July 2025, 7pm 
• Exminster Surgery