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 McDonald, Dr Andy Swindlehurst, Debbie Dean, Charlotte Brooks, Sara Margetts, Peter Pennells, Wendy Rush, Jackie Strong.  

Apologies

Bill Banks, Jane Bheemah, Lynne Clemence, Margaret Colman, Lynn Dalmeida, Katie Garlick, Maggie Mancktelow, Joanna Nye, Neil Sherlaw, David Spencer, Linda Taylor  

Minutes of Last Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed.

No amendments were raised by attendees.

Minutes approved for publication. 

Matters Arising

Leybourne Chase Medical Provision Updates – Ongoing requirement to provide updates as changes occur. No significant updates reported since the last meeting. 

Anima Workshops – Workshop delivered successfully with 12 attendees. Feedback was highly positive, with attendees reporting increased confidence using digital tools. 

Staff Training Programme – Recognised as an ongoing priority. Further planning required to ensure continuity. 

Waiting Room Greeter Role – Concept discussed (staff member to welcome and guide patients). Agreed this remains aspirational and dependent on full staffing capacity. 

Complaints & Feedback Trends – General feedback noted. No major trends identified requiring escalation. 

Communication Plan – Still pending due to lack of coordination time. Recognised as a priority area. 

Patient Survey Action Plan – To be finalised and published (see Practice Update). 

Waiting Room Environment – Concerns raised regarding audio levels affecting communication and accessibility. Suggestion to use calmer background audio and reduce volume. 

111 / Urgent Care Referrals – Ongoing reports of patients being advised to attend appointments that do not exist. Issue confirmed as external to the practice. Practice continues to monitor. 

Practice Update

Practice affected this week by major computer outages across NHS. Random and unpredictable loss of access to computer system.  

Staffing – Recruitment ongoing for Healthcare Assistant role. Previous interviews unsuccessful; further interviews scheduled. Current staffing gaps impacting capacity. 

Patient Survey – Action plan drafted and submitted for website publication (pending accessibility compliance). Full results to be published alongside action plan. 

Action: Bob to send PDF of full survey results to Debbie. 

Care Homes – New 78-bed care home opening locally (expected July). Mix of residential, nursing, and dementia care. 

Estimated requirement of approximately one GP session per week (approx. 4 hours). 

Funding remains a concern; current NHS funding insufficient to meet expected demand. 

Practice exploring potential financial contribution from care home provider. 

Risk identified: increased demand may impact wider patient population if not adequately resourced. 

Mitigation: structured weekly ward rounds to manage workload proactively. 

Contract Changes (April) – Increased access requirements introduced. Impact not yet fully understood due to holidays and IT disruptions. 

Contract Changes (October – Advice & Refer) – All secondary care referrals to be triaged by consultants and referred straight back if not deemed appropriate for a clinic appointment. 

Potential implications include increased GP workload, patient dissatisfaction, and delays in care. 

Clinical responsibility remains with GP even where referral is declined. 

BMA challenging proposed contract changes. 

Further clarification of October changes expected shortly 

Action: Develop clear patient communication explaining upcoming changes re referral system once process clarified.

Anima System Update

System continues to operate effectively.

High adoption rate (19,000 registered patients). 

Reduction in patient complaints observed. 

System now considered embedded as standard practice.

Health Awareness Events

Pelvic Health & Menopause Event – Scheduled for 30th April 2026. Current bookings at 23 attendees. 

Promotion undertaken via posters, community venues, and partner organisations. 

Action: Re-advertise via patient messaging system and confirm website listing. 

Expand promotion through parish councils and community networks. 

Cardiac Webinar – Planned for 8th September in partnership with external provider. Further planning meeting scheduled. 

Dietician Event – Proposed for early next year (January preferred). Likely online delivery. 

Action: Confirm format, content, and timeline of cardiac and dietician events with organisers. Peter to help with any Webinar issues.                                 

Communications Plan

Discussion highlighted need for a structured and consistent communication strategy. 

Suggested channels include parish councils, community centers, newsletters, and digital platforms. 

Opportunity identified to improve routine promotion of events and key updates. 

Action: Continue to develop and implement formal communications plan.

Any Other Business

NHS Structural Changes – Regional Health & Care Partnerships being absorbed into Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). 

Shift towards ‘Neighbourhood Health’ model aligned with Primary Care Networks. 

TUPE of staff to commence earlier – possibly May- ramifications for both Chair’s admin support and that of forum going forward. 

Limited immediate operational impact expected locally, but changes to governance anticipated. 

Further update for the forum expected June /July.

Date Of Next Meeting

• 3rd June 2026 19:30