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

Debbie Dean, Dr Andy Swindlehurst, Bob McDonald, Lynn Dalmeida, Peter Pennells, Wendy Rush, Jackie Strong,

Apologies

Charlotte Brooks, Margaret Coleman, Maggie Mancktelow, Sara Margetts, Neil Sherlaw

Minutes of Last Meeting

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

Matters Arising

Anima Relaunch

Team met as planned; a new plan is in place and will be discussed later in the agenda.

Transport to Kings Hill

Margaret continues dialogue with bus companies and the parish council.

Communications Plan 

No volunteers from the group for communications lead; action to remain on agenda for next meeting.

• Action: Appoint Communications lead and committee

Patient Survey

All previous actions completed.

Discussion documents prepared for the patient survey team to analyse and propose an action plan.

• Action: Meeting to be set up for the patient survey group to review results and formulate action plan.

Posters for Support Sessions

Anima sessions are pending dates not been set yet.

Poster display actions are ongoing. No progress to report

Practice Update

No major actions except trialling anima settings (6:30 am start).

Early opening trial reverted due to technical limitations (more details below).

Flu Clinics

Both Saturday clinics ran smoothly; over 800 patients vaccinated each Saturday.

Approximately 700 patients remain to be vaccinated.

Capacity could be increased next year (possibly 1,000 per clinic).

Considering additional clinics: daytime, evenings, or short Saturday sessions to clear remaining stock.

Uptake is declining year-on-year, possibly due to pharmacy offerings ( two-in-one vaccinations of COVID and flu) and general trends.

COVID and flu “two-in-one” vaccinations are logistically challenging at practice level.

Anima System Update and Workshops 2025

Ongoing discussions with parish councils for session venues.

Free access to Barclays Bank community centre room secured for sessions.

Jo identified as practice main contact for technical issues.

• Action: Anima group to meet and plan sessions when Margaret and Neil return.
• Action: Debbie to coordinate with Joe for technical support referrals.

Practice Update

Contract changes from October 1st

Contract changes from October 1st implemented; routine queries restricted per BMA recommendations.

Anima system updated with routine query categories; patients must acknowledge before submitting.

Acute cap management is ongoing; aiming to balance capacity and avoid reinforcing wrong pathways.

Early opening (6:30 am) discontinued due to Anima system limitations, awaiting IT update.

• Action: Communicate to patients about changes in early opening and system limitations.

Staffing

• Two staff members (one GP, one nurse) going on maternity leave in spring.
• Locum cover for GP is straightforward; nurse cover more challenging due to lack of reimbursement and skill set matching.
• Some Nurse cover arranged using existing staff; may need to hire bank nurse for remaining hours.
• Sad news: A prescription clerk passed away unexpectedly, impacting staff morale.

Anima System Update and Workshops 2025

Agreement to use Kings Hill community centre for sessions; dates to be finalized.

Plan to contact other parish councils (West Malling, Ryarsh, Leybourne) for session roll-out.

Peter revising Handouts for Workshops Proposal to use NHS App and Practice website for session advertising

Website navigation has been improved; appointment booking is now more accessible, appearing as one of the first choices

• Action: Peter to finalize and print workshop handouts.
• Action: Debbie to post session info on website once dates agreed.
• Action: Debbie to investigate if text could be sent to patients

Patient Survey Results / Actions

Results ready for discussion after Neil returns.

Local Development Plan

Draft document produced (using Copilot) summarizing local plan issues and potential impacts, and including a draft response to planning department from PPG.

Anticipated growth: ~1,000 patients in next 5 years, another 1,000–1,200 in following 5 years.

Document to be circulated for review and possible submission as PPG feedback.

• Action: Wendy to email document to group for comments.

Health Awareness Events

No new events planned; last online mental health event had low attendance ( just three patients)

Only 600–700 patients registered for PPG emails out of 20,000.

Need to improve communication and engagement.

Consider collecting email addresses at events and via website/Facebook.

Consider placing information on Anima appointment page, as it receives most traffic.

Other suggestions: - posters in local venues (Costa, Asda etc), Parish Facebook pages, websites, magazines and notice boards.

• Action: Set up Communications team.
• Action: Develop Communication Plan, increase mailing list use website and social media for outreach.

Any other business

Issue raised regarding NHS Health Check letters and appointment confusion.

Health checks are run by external PCN staff, not practice nurses; appointments are limited.

Reception staff may not be fully informed about clinic scheduling.

• Action: Clarify process with staff
• Action: Communicate availability to patients and staff

Date Of Next Meeting

• Wednesday 26th November 2025

Dates for next year to be set at the next meeting