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

4th June 2025, 7:30pm. The Surgery, Kings Hill

Introductions

Two new members joined the group David Spencer and Wendy Rush. For the sake of the two new members everyone introduced themselves around the table.

Minutes of the last meeting

These were approved with no amendments

Matters Arising to be discussed throughout agenda

Practice update

Dr Connor qualified as a GP Trainer meaning more Registrars can be taken on which helps with access.

Continued discussions re Anima. Considering trial of releasing additional appointments on the hour (11am to 3pm) needs further approval from Salaried Doctors before implementation. Additional thought about releasing appointments early possibly 10%. Feel this is a reasonable percentage that would not adversely impact those who are unable to access Anima for whatever reason. Whilst possibly willing to trial this feel it may not help that much once word gets around, but it shows willing in response to patient feedback.

On going issues with various patient demographics accessing Anima. 

Resistance from some parties to register. Aware of new option within Anima to send link for one-time quick registration however Practice waiting for Anima to switch this on. No App available for Anima but there is a shortcut that can be put on your phone.

Simple query option in Anima. Go to end of first set of questions select none of these and then enter free text regarding your request.

Confirmed 16,500 patients now registered on Anima leaving 4,500 still to register.

Anima System Updates and Workshops 2025

Workshops (organised via Parish / Town Councils) to be relaunched in local parishes. PPG have link with Kent Digital for support with IT issues. PPG provide training team made up of volunteers. Support guide produced to hand out as well as one to one or group training. 

Previous workshops covered Ryarsh, East Malling, West Malling  and Kings Hill. Future areas to target Addington, Leybourne, Ofham, Trosley and Merryworth. 

Action - Bob McDonald to organise get together with Anima team to arrange relaunch. 

Discussion around issues of digital literacy and transport access. 

Action - Margaret Coleman to take back issues raised around Transport ( Bus Access) to Kings Hill Parish Council to see how they might be able to help patients access the surgery for training.

Consideration to be given to methods of sending out of a request to find out who might be interested in training and sending guide as well. Then organise venues around the responses. 

Discussion regarding accessing those that cannot be reached digitally. Options – Parish Council Noticeboards, Parish Council Newsletters, Posters, WI, U3A, Kinara etc.

Action - Michael to work with Bob on communication plan.

Patient Survey

2,199 on line responses plus 50 further paper copies . Good result  representing  approximately 10% of patients ) 

Discussion regarding how to enter paper copies and option of adding in via Survey Monkey.

Action – Volunteers assigned Neil, Margaret, Katie, Peter 

Results will need analysing. AI to assist in thematic analysis.                                                        

Action-Bob to look at this using ChatGPT and circulate to group

Action - Agreed close of Survey Sunday 15th June

Care homes in catchment area

Nicky Swindlehurst ( GP and Clinical Director PCN ) Bob and Bill to meet with head of Tunbridge & Malling Borough Council, Matt Boughton to make sure Practice can have influence on what is put in the new Regulation 18 Local Plan. Margaret read in Merryworth Parish Council Magazine that Local Plan completed.  

Action – Margaret to confirm to Bob after tomorrows Council Meeting if Local Plan has been agreed   

Health & Awareness Event

Mental Health Webinar 7pm on 15th July 2025 - Dr Christie Lisk talking on various Mental Health Issues. Open to all PCN Patients. Tickets created via Ticket Tailor and sent out via Facebook and PPG mailing List. Posters placed in key locations for those without digital access. Access approx. 20,000 people and places for 40-70 attendees. 

Action – Bob, Jackie and Peter to work on communications plan for accessing those with no or limited digital access.     

Action – Jackie to ensure Margaret receives posters to place on Community Centre Noticeboards.

Further Support sessions to be arranged. Topics yet to be agreed. Use Survey Monkey to canvas patients for their preferred subjects. WMPPG account set up for this.   

Action – Jackie to set up and Bob to test. Circulate to group for comment then go live.

Jackie Meeting with Sarah Lagon ( Social Prescriber for PCN) next week. Looking at setting up Patient Seminar for her to explain her role. Noted patients can self refer to her. 

Support Groups

PPG previously provided list of local support groups. Needs updating and refreshing. Distribution via surgeries, libraries and digital means. 

Action – Bob and Jackie working on this.

AOB

Pop up drafts sent round by Bob prior to meeting. 

Action – Bob to produce final draft

Prescription box removed from West Malling as a result of a request from contractors. Unlikely to be reinstated owing to issues around collection service.  Patients encouraged to use NHS App or post instead.

Action - Anima Training sessions add information on how to request a repeat prescription. 

Leybourne PC – Lynne had questionnaire from Leybourne Parish Council. Bob met with council to discuss this. Successful meeting and Leybourne on board with helping PPG with advertising.

Communication Plan needs developing. Bob has existing template to develop. 

Action – Bob and Michael

Discussion re new developments and impact on Practice list size. Clarification re types of list management options available to practices and impact of these.  

Date of next meeting

Re-scheduled to Wednesday July 30th 2025.