A View from the Chair – Yvonne Metcalf

A Facebook comment that ‘the first 75 years of January are the worst’ seemed very true as the month dragged on. The ‘dreich’ skies of February hardly lift our spirits but the appearance of the first daffodil in my village today is perhaps an indicator of the better months to come.

Our FPS committee has met monthly as usual. We’ve felt for a while now that we’ve been in limbo as it’s been hard to forward plan when there have been so many changes in the surgery. However, committee members’ experience and anecdotal comments from patients are showing some improvements in the surgery’s staffing and hence appointments, which have been the major source of complaints in recent times.

We recognise there’s still a mountain to climb, both locally and nationally, to ensure the very best patient experience within the NHS’s limited resources, but at least it’s a start.

As FPS, we’re seeing our priority is talking with fellow patients and to that end, we’re going to be in the surgery for a couple of hours every month. Our first session will be on 3rd March between 2-4 pm. Three of the committee will be there and we hope that you’ll find the time to come and talk with us, whether you’re in the surgery for a clinical visit or maybe just passing. It’s vital we learn from your experiences so we can have meaningful discussions with the surgery. I’m interested to know whether patients have a good understanding of how appointments are made, how the telephone system works – a new call back system recently introduced is another example of a recent change – and the ‘how’ and importance of cancelling appointments to save the surprisingly high cost to the surgery in both staff time and money.

We’re also planning to resume our health talks as it’s been quite a while since one was organised. Some of you might have seen our Facebook post asking for suggestions but unfortunately there was little response. Our thoughts are to concentrate on ‘ healthy living ‘ incorporating both body and mind, and we’re working with the surgery to take this forward. We’d still love to hear from you if you have any suggestions.

Do contact us through our Facebook page or our website. Please remember that we are not able to deal with complaints.

Feedback from the Surgery

As your committee, we regularly put forward your queries, concerns and feedback to the surgery management.

Bringing back old services

Patients have often raised queries over what has happened to services the surgery used to offer, such as electrocardiograms (ECG), cryotherapy for removing skin tags and warts, and ear irrigation. Feedback from the surgery is that ECG and Doppler machines are now in use following additional staff training. Cryotherapy is ready to go, apart from obtaining the liquid nitrogen required for this. With regard to ear irrigation, the surgery is reviewing the demand and possibility for this to be offered once again

Replacing the induction loop to aid those with hearing loss

A patient raised the issue of the induction loop not working in reception, making it hard for hearing aid users to communicate with staff. We passed this onto the surgery, and can now confirm a new induction loop has been purchased and is in use.

Giving the surgery your email address

The surgery would be grateful if you were able to give them your email address to enable cheaper communications. Text messages have text limits and significant costs, whilst emails are more flexible and cost effective. If you’re able to give the surgery this information, you can do so via the online form, selecting ‘I have an admin or routine care request’.

What’s been happening with FPS?

Come and see us on 3rd March

Members of the FPS committee will be available to talk to at the surgery on Tuesday 3rd March between 2.00 and 4.00pm. Let us know what’s working and what isn’t, and what you’d like to see FPS doing more.

Check out the minutes of our meetings
The minutes from FPS’ monthly meetings, including our most recent February meeting, are available here.

Want to stay up to date?
One easy way to keep up to date with FPS’ events is to follow us on
our Facebook page. Every time we update the website, we’ll post a link there!

Unsubscribe from FPS communications
If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving communications about FPS, you will need to contact the surgery to ask for this note to be placed on your file. FPS does not hold any data on patients other than that provided directly by them, such as emails sent to the FPS mailbox

Consultation On Moving Mount Vernon Cancer Centre To Watford

A public consultation is currently open to explore the idea of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre moving to Watford General Hospital.

More information is available here, with ways to give your feedback both online and in-person listed here.

The Repair Shed

The Repair Shed brings older men together to stay healthier and happier for longer by making, mending and learning. The Repair Shed helps combat the challenges of isolation and the loss of social continuity associated with aging by providing a supportive environment for older people who are practically minded and want to make things, do repairs, share skills and learn new ones.

Whilst the Shed movement was started by men, everyone is welcome – they even have a ‘Sewing Cafe’ at their Redbourn Shed.

Find out more and join the Shed by clicking here.