Patient Participation Group Meeting 23/09/26

Patient Participation Group Meeting 23/09/26

HOWDEN MEDICAL CENTRE

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

WEDNESDAY 29th September 2026

MINUTES

In Attendance:

Dr D Rose – GP Partner

Joanne Jennison – Practice Manager

Christine Shearer

Anne Bell

Valerie Ellerington

Susan Glass

Irene Dance                            

Shirley Stanley

Brent Huntington – Governor – NLAG

Apologies:

Dr R Harrison – GP Partner

Sarah Boggitt

Victoria Townsley

Robert Pickersgill

Cherrilyn Shillito

1.	APOLOGIES Apologies were received as above.
2.	MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting.  Matters arising are covered on the agenda.
3.	UPDATE ON NHS HUMBER HEALTH PARTNERSHIP – BRENT HUNTINGTON, GOVERNOR, NLAG Brent tabled a report from the Partnership – ‘Organisational Structure Review: Board Decision and Next Steps’ Brent provided a summary of the report which covers the review undertaken and the dissolution of the partnership between Hull University Teaching Hospitals (HUTH) and North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG).  The two organisations will return to operating as two separate sovereign trusts, both having their own Board and Executive arrangements.  A copy of the report will be emailed with the minutes for those not in attendance. There will be an emphasis on trying to retain some of the arrangements that work well over the two organisations which will be strengthened through formal agreements.  This is all to be worked through. NLAG are now in the process of setting up their own board which will be interim initially.  They are also looking at Non-Executive Director appointments. This will all take time and change will unlikely be seen by patients for some time. Brent handed out brochures on becoming a member of the trust and the Top to Toe leaflet detailing services running from Goole Hospital. Brent held discussion with members, taking and discussing questions. Discussion to place around the 10 year plan, neighbourhoods and the involvement of PCNs.
4.	PLANS TO CREATE MORE CAPACITY AT THE MEDICAL CENTRE Planning permission has been received for the Portacabin.  Still awaiting confirmation of funding from the ICB.  Bid was put in before the summer holidays but due to restructure at ICB this hasn’t been agreed as yet.  This is being followed up.   Should the funding be received for the portacabin a further bid will be put in to reconfigure three offices into clinical rooms.
5.	FUTURE PLANNING DEVELOPMENTS AND NEW BUILD The practice was looking to put car parking round the back of the building for staff , however this does not look possible due to planning.   No further progress has been made regarding the new build.  ICB staff are still going through the restructure and redundancy process and have only recently started being confirmed in roles.  This should hopefully be complete in the near future and this can be progressed further.
6.	PRACTICE STAFFING GPs Two new GPs have been recruited, Dr Ibrahim started this month working two days a week and another GP has been recruited to start in December working two days per week.  Recent recruitment will provide three extra clinical days capacity.   Nurses A Nurse is leaving, we have already recruited a new nurse to replace her who has started this month providing a few weeks handover.   Medical Secretary Advert is out for an additional medical secretary for three days per week.     Medical Receptionist Advert is out for a medical receptionist to replace a member of staff.
7.	CQC Discussed recent CQC inspection – report was shared previously.  Excellent feedback and all staff commended for their dedication, passion for their work and the open culture in the organisation.  No issues and achieved good across the board and outstanding in one area.
8.	ICB / NHS ENGLAND RESTRUCTURE ICB restructure and redundancies still underway, full structure detailing roles and people, not in place yet.  Primary Care Team details have been shared with the practices, very small team covering the whole of the ICB area with none of the old staff who covered this area.  Expecting all to be in place in near future.   No information received regarding NHS England.
9.	ANY OTHER BUSINESS Discussion re feedback from patients from group member.  Joanne explained very hard to look into individual issues unless have further information and can look at it at the time.  Joanne stressed to group members to encourage patients to contact her directly, she is always open to speaking to patients and this helps to understand and identify issues or education for staff but also provide education and information to patients. Lots of issues come to her attention from patients which turn out to be as a result of other services of which we have no control over.   Joanne discussed friends and family test feedback of which we get hundreds every month and it is extremely positive.  This feedback is collated monthly, shared with teams and discussed at practice meetings.  This feedback is also reported nationally and was shared with the CQC.  It is however anonymous and not a method through which to complain to the surgery or get help.   There was no further business and therefore the meeting was closed.