Comments on Primary Care Services

BROWSE

General issues

The question was raised about whether there is an Equality Group at the PCT, and, if so, who the members were. It was confirmed a group had been launched. Lay involvement is sought via voluntary services.
Forum members were informed that the PALS service is there to provide advice, not just to deal with complaints.
Forum members were informed that primary care providers are working closely with the hospital and council, particularly around discharge planning.
Forum members were informed that the PCT and the hospital are working together around diabetic care.
The point was made that KCIL is a resource that the PCT can link into – to promote Independent Living.
The point was made that the PCT should work with the voluntary services around revising communications where there are service changes.
The point was made that GP practices should have patient participation groups, for example to enable patients to have input into practice leaflets and booklets.
The PCT is encouraging the formation of these patient participation groups and there are some good examples in the Borough; there are currently 7 PPGs.
Concern was expressed at the lack of ‘disability champions’ in the health service that disabled people could contact.

The point was made that the Community Dentist Service in Surbiton is felt to be inadequate - there is no service to deal with severe dental problems.
Concerns were expressed over charges – the 3 bands were explained but people receiving certain benefits may be charged differently. Concern was also expressed over the lack of communication by some practices around charging for dental services.
The difficulty of finding an NHS dentist in Chessington dentist was reported.
Concerns were expressed about access to dental surgeries. The PCT confirmed that all dentists within the borough meet the minimum requirements regarding access. However, a question was raised about the criteria for accessibility used by the PCT. One particular practice was identified as not being accessible – this would be fed back to the PCT’s dental advisor.

A point was made about GPs’ lack of understanding of ‘end of life care’ – GP’s risk refusing care due to a lack of understanding. They need to listen to client groups.
The Forum was informed that issues with GP’s should be identified to the PCT through PALS or the Primary Care Lead at the PCT. PALS enquiries are all recorded on the DATIX system, enabling the PCT to report on areas of concern at all GP practices.
The point was made that GP’s don’t want to prescribe cannabis to MS patients
The Forum was informed that concerns about prescribing issues should be directed to the Pharmacy Advisor at the PCT.
A forum member asked about the procedure for checking on-going prescriptions is – this should be taken up with the GP practice itself.

One member of the forum felt that the Expert Patient Programme was too general, not specific enough and that there are plenty of other alternatives. Concern was expressed that the PCT have identified the Expert Patient Programme in the 5-year Health Strategy as an area to expand on to improve the health of patients living in Kingston - this issues needs to be considered.

Forum members said that due to a shortage of neurologists, waiting times for appointments were too long.
Concern was expressed about how less able patients can receive choice and follow the progress of referrals through KCAS, following a GP referral.
The point was made that GP’s may prevent patient choice.

The Forum was informed that waiting times for therapies are better than last year, but members would like to know figures year on year – particularly for physiotherapy.
The comment was made that there had been no improvement in waiting times for counselling and some patients have been told to go privately.
The comment was made that the Podiatry Service seems to be less accessible - patients have not been informed of changes in the process.
The general comment was made that waiting times appeared better because the process for booking appointments (eg for community dentist, podiatry) had been changed. Because people didn’t know about the changes they were no longer accessing the services.

One member of the forum had been referred to the YMCA for the Exercise referral programme - passive exercise. Benefits to the patient were that they received a good exercise programme for 12 weeks on a one-to-one basis, outside the hospital environment. Although it was a GP referral, the patient had to pay £3 per one-hour session.
The Forum suggested they would like to be able to access gym services and asked if this could this be available at Surbiton. Currently, if members access physiotherapy services, the gym could be part of the care package. Suggestion was made to speak to physio manager to see if this could be developed.
Visually impaired Forum members said that they would like advice on the types of exercise machines they could use.

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