1. NEWS FOR OUR PATIENTS September 2017
WTP
NEWS FOR OUR PATIENTS September 2017
WORKING TOGETHER PROJECT

2. WTP
THANK YOU!
I would like to extend a warm welcome to each of you and thank-you for attending this Patient Review Group meeting
Can I introduce my colleague Mike Vyvyan
What Mike and I want to share with you tonight are details of a positive development that will bring about improved services for YOU our patients
You will have the opportunity to ask questions, which we will try to answer as frankly as possible
I hope at the end of this meeting you will agree with me that what we are working on will bring long term healthcare benefits to all our Patients
Following this meeting we would invite you to help us in a series of events to make Patients aware of the changes ahead

3. WTP
THE REALITY
I have been working in the NHS and General Practice for 11 years
I have seen many improvements in General Practice that have contributed to most people living healthier lives and living for longer
I have also experienced the increase in the demands and pressures being put on what we now call Primary care - for example:
We have had a significant increase of elderly patients many of whom have multiple chronic diseases that need monitoring and managing
Younger people are often more aware of health issues and often want lifestyle advice
Many more people, of all ages, experience the stress of modern day living and require emotional support or treatment for mental health issues
Patients are rightly encouraged to see their GP if they have a concern about cancer
People hear or read about the adverse affects of a medication or treatment and come looking for explanations or reassurance
People are promptly discharged from hospital and then need continuing care from their GP Practice

4. WTP
THE REALITY
You will have heard for yourself that recruiting new GPs is extremely difficult and securing the services of highly qualified/experienced nurses is also becoming challenging – this is a real day-to-day concern for this practice
All this is happening while Practices are being challenged to do more with less
NHS England wants GP practices to provide:
better access for patients – open longer and provide some services at weekends
some services that are currently only available at a hospital – e.g. selected outpatient clinics
new services using on-line technologies – so more patients can be seen quicker and in a shorter period of time

5. WTP
THE REALITY
As an employer in a caring sector I also cannot overlook the impact on staff who are all too often stretched by the increasing demands placed on them
No GP Practice today can ignore these pressures or challenges
Each Practice needs to look positively at how it can be more efficient and effective
Above all we need to examine how we can best serve our Patients and deliver the highest standard of care, now and in the future
We may find change difficult, it is something that we are inclined to resist, but the situation we face in General Practice must change for the sake of YOU our Patients

6. WTP
A DECISION
Over the past months several Practices in the Town Centre of Scarborough have been meeting together to consider the current reality and how we should respond
We have made a decision……….
From April 2018 – Falsgrave, Belgave, Peasholm and Prospect Road surgeries will merge to operate as a single organisation
This will result in a Practice of 30,000 plus Patients and give us the opportunity to develop new services and approaches to looking after YOU, our Patients

7. CHANGES THAT YOU WILL NOTICE
WTP
CHANGES THAT YOU WILL NOTICE
Some immediate changes – new name, different telephone numbers, longer opening hours, some weekend appointments, new services
Some things will remain the same – three premises, same staff, same level of care.
Longer term – a team approach to delivering your care – improved assistance to ensure you see the most appropriate clinician - more clinical staff – improved chronic disease clinics (fewer visits to the surgery) - some outpatients clinics on our premises – a greater focus on supporting Patients to manage their health conditions, where appropriate.

8. CHANGES YOU MAY NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICE
WTP
CHANGES YOU MAY NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICE
A different management structure – to improve the way we do things
A greater emphasis on staff training – for all staff
An increased focus on improving services for Patients and introducing new ones – a dedicated manager
Our improved ability to recruit Doctors and Nurses – a forward thinking organisation
Improved long term sustainability – shared resources
Our increased ability to influence the direction of Healthcare provision in Scarborough – a voice to be heard

9. WTP
YOUR HELP PLEASE
As it has been explained to you I am assisting the Practices with the Merger process
I would like to meet with you as a group in 4 weeks time
I want to involve you and ask for your help in informing other Patients
One thing I will be asking your help with, is choosing an appropriate name – we will have suggestions for you to choose from
Our concern is to ensure the merger is positive for ALL patients and I believe this is where you have a key role to play