Patient Forum

Patient Forum

THE NEXT MEETING IS TO BE CONFIRMED.

The practice has a patient forum that meets at the surgery on a quarterly basis. Membership of the group is open to all patients of the practice. The patient forum is co-ordinated by our practice manager, and meetings are attended by both patients and practice staff.

Meetings are an opportunity for informal discussion between patients and the practice staff and topics such as those below are discussed:-:
  Ways of working with the practice to improve the services provided
  How to improve communications between the practice and patients
  Health awareness campaigns such as the annual flu vaccination 

There is a patient forum newsletter that is printed every quarter and distributed in the waiting rooms, if you would like a copy please contact the practice manager.

We welcome all patients to the forum and if you would be interested in joining a patient participation group, please contact the practice manager. 

Member's view

Have you been to the Patients Forum Yet?

About four times a year a small group of patients and surgery staff members get together at the Thorpe Bay Surgery to hear about new developments at the Surgery and local hospital.

This is strictly not the place for personal medical discussions, it is the chance to hear about new services available at the surgery such as the "Do it yourself" blood pressure checks for certain groups of patients. It is also a great chance to ask questions. Recently there was a discussion about the new NHS Summary Care Records that many of us have recently received through the post. It was helpful to have an opinion and comments form the doctors who will be implementing the scheme.

Most importantly the forum is also the place to comment on routine administrative matters such a surgery opening hours or the "Choose and Book" arrangements at the hospital. All those things that one forgets about or there is no time for during an appointment with a busy Doctor.

I encourage you to come to the next meeting which are held in the veneing.No appointment is necessary but it would be helpful if you could let the Practice Manager (Norma Barwick) know if you will be attending (01702 582670)

Article by Mr. John Layton - Patient Forum Member