Patient Participation Group

Chair – Bob MacDonald

I love living in Kings Hill with my wife Jan and have been here for the past five years, but have lived in Kent for the past thirty. I run my own training and management consultancy company, having previously been a director in a number of the UK’s largest defence contractors. Two of my three daughter’s are married and also live on Kings Hill. My interests are playing the keyboard and guitar, walking and going to the theatre besides having the privilege of helping my six grandchildren flourish.

Treasurer – Margaret Hall

I have lived at Kings Hill for 16 years so I know the area well. For the last 6 years I have worked for the Clinical Research Network, the research delivery arm of the NHS. In addition, I have had many years’ experience of working in the NHS as a clinician and I’ve also worked in the voluntary sector. I have been a magistrate since 2002 and find the work challenging but interesting and rewarding. I enjoy travelling to different parts of the world and experiencing different cultures.  

Committee Member – Mary Rayner

I moved to Kings Hill from Surrey 10 years ago but I’m originally from the North East of England. I am married and have two grown up children and two small grandchildren, one of whom I look after quite regularly. I retired five years ago from The Royal College of Surgeons of England where I had worked for 16 years. My work took me to hospitals all over England and Wales but it was working in hospitals in Egypt, India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia that made me realise how precious the NHS is.

Committee Member – Barry Evans

After retiring in 2000 after 30 years of Banking I taught IT for 5 years at West Kent College, before finally retiring in 2005.  I am now a keen bell ringer at West Malling and Mereworth, and I also ring regularly at a number of other Churches in Kent. I am currently Vice Chairman of Kings Hill U3A (University of the 3rd Age).

I play guitar in a local group, and I run a couple of local cycling groups, to try to encourage more local cycling in the lovely Kent countryside. I feel that my years of experience with the Bank and with WKC will help in the PPG with its liaison job between patients and practice.

Committee Member – Elaine Hall 

I was born in Margate and after living in various parts of the Country and overseas, I returned to Kent in 1990 and have been living in Mereworth for the last 13 years. Most of my life has been spent in Primary Education and before retiring, I was Leader of Learning and Head of Key Stage One at a local primary school. I also started a Parent Forum Group which had similar aims to the Patient Participation Group in encouraging greater involvement and closer links between parents and teachers. I understand the pressures public services are under and am keen to support the Practice in any way I can. Retirement has given me the opportunity to pursue my many interests including singing, painting, gardening, keeping abreast of current affairs and scientific research, and having fun with my two young grandchildren.

Committee Member - Lynn Hunt  

Committee Member - Ellie Millsom

Chair – Bob MacDonald

I love living in Kings Hill with my wife Jan and have been here for the past five years, but have lived in Kent for the past thirty. I run my own training and management consultancy company, having previously been a director in a number of the UK’s largest defence contractors. Two of my three daughter’s are married and also live on Kings Hill. My interests are playing the keyboard and guitar, walking and going to the theatre besides having the privilege of helping my six grandchildren flourish.

Treasurer – Margaret Hall

I have lived at Kings Hill for 16 years so I know the area well. For the last 6 years I have worked for the Clinical Research Network, the research delivery arm of the NHS. In addition, I have had many years’ experience of working in the NHS as a clinician and I’ve also worked in the voluntary sector. I have been a magistrate since 2002 and find the work challenging but interesting and rewarding. I enjoy travelling to different parts of the world and experiencing different cultures.  

Committee Member – Mary Rayner

I moved to Kings Hill from Surrey 10 years ago but I’m originally from the North East of England. I am married and have two grown up children and two small grandchildren, one of whom I look after quite regularly. I retired five years ago from The Royal College of Surgeons of England where I had worked for 16 years. My work took me to hospitals all over England and Wales but it was working in hospitals in Egypt, India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia that made me realise how precious the NHS is.

Committee Member – Barry Evans

After retiring in 2000 after 30 years of Banking I taught IT for 5 years at West Kent College, before finally retiring in 2005.  I am now a keen bell ringer at West Malling and Mereworth, and I also ring regularly at a number of other Churches in Kent. I am currently Vice Chairman of Kings Hill U3A (University of the 3rd Age).

I play guitar in a local group, and I run a couple of local cycling groups, to try to encourage more local cycling in the lovely Kent countryside. I feel that my years of experience with the Bank and with WKC will help in the PPG with its liaison job between patients and practice.

Committee Member – Elaine Hall 

I was born in Margate and after living in various parts of the Country and overseas, I returned to Kent in 1990 and have been living in Mereworth for the last 13 years. Most of my life has been spent in Primary Education and before retiring, I was Leader of Learning and Head of Key Stage One at a local primary school. I also started a Parent Forum Group which had similar aims to the Patient Participation Group in encouraging greater involvement and closer links between parents and teachers. I understand the pressures public services are under and am keen to support the Practice in any way I can. Retirement has given me the opportunity to pursue my many interests including singing, painting, gardening, keeping abreast of current affairs and scientific research, and having fun with my two young grandchildren.

Committee Member - Lynn Hunt  

Committee Member - Ellie Millsom

Present

Bob MacDonald, Dr Andy Swindlehurst, Debbie Dean, Charlotte Brooks, Lynn Dalmeida, Maggie Mancktelow, Sara Margetts, Wendy Rush, David Spencer

Apologies

Bill Banks, Jackie Strong, Katie Garlick, Peter Pennels (Katie noted she cannot attend evening meetings going forward due to volunteering commitments but will continue remotely supporting notice boards and library.)

Minutes of last meeting

No amendments or redactions were requested.
Minutes from the last meeting were signed off

Matters arising

Patient survey

The patient survey team met as planned.
Documents produced:

• Full survey results
• Thematic analysis of free-text comments
• Suggested action ideas (AI-assisted)

These were handed to the Practice for review and action planning.
Some members did not receive the documents due to subgroup distribution issues.

Actions: Chair to re-circulate all survey documents to the full group.

Practice (Debbie) to produce final action plan based on results.

Anima workshops / digital support

First Anima support workshop planned for early December at Kings Hill Community Centre (room provided free via Margaret). Handouts available:

• What is Anima & how to use it
• NHS App – registration and usage guide

Practice still to receive the updated print-ready versions.
IT support pathway to be coordinated via Jo, who will act as main contact for complex technical queries sent by staff.
 

Actions: Chair to finalise and circulate confirmed workshop date.
Chair to send print-ready handouts to Practice.
Debbie to coordinate with Jo regarding incoming technical queries.
Members to promote workshop locally (parish websites, noticeboards, WhatsApp groups, community magazines).

NHS health check confusion

Reports of mixed information from reception regarding where checks take place and how they are organised.

External provider service has ceased; practice still provides checks.

Staff appeared unclear when patients telephoned.

Actions: Practice to clarify process with all reception staff.

Ensure consistent signposting for patients receiving Health Check letters.

Practice update

Flu campaign

• Over 2,000 patients vaccinated so far.
• Mix of Saturday and evening clinics.
• Demand now significantly reduced.
• Additional clinics will be considered only if needed.
• Season runs until 31 March.

Staffing

• GP maternity cover now likely secured.
• Nurse maternity cover options identified; progressing well.
• Recruitment for admin/reception post closes tomorrow with good interest.

Winter access clinics

• Additional GP capacity funded Nov–Mar, set up to relieve winter pressures.
• About 8 extra appointments for the practice.
• Clinics across PCN
• Suitable for minor winter issues (coughs, colds etc.).
• Some limitations with out-of-practice GPs generating referrals.

Anima system update and workshops

(Already covered under matters arising)

Patient survey update

(Already covered under matters arising)

Communications plan

Jackie and Chair produced an outline communications framework (Circulated at meeting).
 

• Objectives: broaden reach, improve visibility, use consistent templates, introduce regular updates, and integrate visual formats, introduce mini posts, e.g. re. accessing test results, ask for feedback
• Discussion around using: Parish councils, local magazines, Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, posters and non-digital methods, QR codes linking to simple web pages/Dropbox, website banner messages

General concern about over-use of text messaging.

Actions: All members to review outline and propose additions.

Chair to explore placing posters/leaflets in supermarkets. Members to explore free local magazines (e.g., Kings Hill, View from the Hill).

Local development plan

TMBC Local Plan now in consultation phase.

PPG concern: insufficient attention to healthcare infrastructure despite major increases in housing.

Chair engaged with council officers; the new “triangle” model proposed: surgery/patients; ICB; council planning.

Email submissions are now accepted as alternative to online “click-through” form.

PPG intends to submit a response emphasising the need for expanded medical facilities.

Actions: Chair to circulate draft LDP response text for members/patients to use (email or online).

Members to assist in promoting patient participation before the 2nd January deadline.

Chair to explore Kent Messenger / local media involvement

Leybourne chase building

Motion to be submitted to Leybourne Parish Council proposing the Parish purchase the unused healthcare building to prevent Taylor Wimpey from turning it into a veterinary surgery.

Aim: preserve building for medical/PCN/community use rather than conversion to housing.

PCN would likely make use of the building for medical facilities.

Actions: PPG to consider providing supportive statement once Parish Council motion outcome is known.

Health awareness event

No update as Jackie not present. Planned meetings for next year. Propose to liaise with Wateringbury Surgery for health awareness events

Any other business

Housebound patient identification

Query raised about how patients become coded as housebound.

Practice advised: patients should contact reception; clinicians will code based on information provided and medical history.

Date of next meeting

No December meeting.

Action: Wendy to propose 2024 meeting dates avoiding school holidays (approx. every six weeks).

Dates to be circulated for member confirmation.