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Lambton Road Medical Practice - Patients Participation Group 

PPG Members: Jan Bailey, Judith Brodie (Chair), Elsa Browne, Marilyn Frampton, Clare Gummett, Clare Pickard, Ian Ritchie, Marie Robertson, Elizabeth Savidge and Peter West

Annual General Meeting 12 March 2016 

Thanks to all patients who attended our third AGM. Full Minutes, Chair’s remarks and appendices are being sent to patients on our e-mail list, and are also available to view in our folder in Reception. 

The main focus of the Meeting was the Listening Week and its findings, see our special March Newsletter, no 16. Lisa Manara expanded on the results, and a full copy of her presentation is contained within the appendices to the Minutes of the Meeting. 

Naturally, as with the country generally, the availability of appointments featured highly in remarks by those attending the AGM, but a final comment from the floor drew attention to the immense challenges faced nationally by primary care, namely funding, capacity and increasing demands. It was nevertheless clear that we are fortunate to have a Practice that successfully provides and delivers high quality clinical treatment to a large population. 

HOT NEWS FROM LAMBTON ROAD MEDICAL PRACTICE

 By the time you read this the Practice will have had an inspection visit on Tuesday 12 April from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Practice receives a verbal report on the day, with a formal printed report available some weeks later. 

The Practice has now issued a Practice Newsletter on their website www.lambtonroadmedical.nhs.uk Printed copies will shortly be available in the surgery. Additionally, the Practice has produced an excellent updated booklet that new patients receive when they join, and which can be obtained from doctors by existing patients when they attend appointments. 

Patients aged over 75 have a special telephone line (available from 10-12 Mon to Fri) but it now has a new title- the Blue Star Patient Line. If you have mislaid the telephone number this may be obtained via Reception. 

The Practice has also agreed an action plan from the PPG Listening Week including on the Appointments system. 

Comings and Goings within the Practice 

Dr. Conor Molony

Most of you will have heard that Dr Molony has left the Lambton Road Medical Practice. The PPG wishes to say thank you to him on behalf of all patients for the excellent professional care received over 13 years’ service (between Pepys Road and LRMP). In addition, he attended PPG meetings and was a valuable linchpin between the Practice and the PPG so a very special thank you to Conor, from us. All good wishes for the future. 

Dr. Elisabeth Wood

Dr Wood who has joined the Practice graduated from Southampton University in 2008. She has worked in a variety of locations including Bournemouth, Bristol and New Zealand prior to arriving at LRMP. Dr Wood has just returned to work having enjoyed maternity leave with her baby daughter. Her interests include Elderly Care and Children’s Health. 

The Practice will also be recruiting additional GPs to the Team, albeit they are in short supply nationally. 

Cancellation of appointments 

Even with the direct telephone cancellation line and text messaging service, there are still “no shows” by some patients – sometimes for good reason and unavoidable. A wasted appointment deprives another patient of its use. The cancellation number is 020 3668 1946. If you wish to be included in the text reminder service, just leave your mobile tell no with Reception and this will automatically happen. 

Smoking Cessation Service 

Are you thinking of making a decision to stop smoking? If so, get some help at Lambton Road. The Practice is offering a free smoking cessation service in conjunction with Live Well Sutton & Merton. You can see an advisor in the Practice.  

PPG Membership 

As mentioned at the AGM, four members of the PPG have stood down - Charlotte Bennett and Dennis Railey - (both had been with the Group since the inception of LRMP), Janice Cameron and Lisa Manara. We would like to thank them all for the extremely valuable contributions they have made to the work of the Group, and wish them well for the future.  Clare Pickard and Peter West have joined as the new members of the Group.