The Upper Dales Health Watch
the Patient Participation Group for the Central Dales GP Practice
Synopsis of the meeting held on January 28th 2019.
• Central Dales Practice is taking part in an on-line consultation trial. To get a GP response on the same day, the consultation must be sent in before 2pm. Details on Practice’s website.
• Central Dales are planning a patient survey during February. This can be accessed via the Practice website or after a surgery visit.
• Evening appointments can be made at the Aysgarth Surgery on Tuesdays 6.30 – 8.00pm. Appointments can be made to see a GP at the Harewood Surgery, Catterick Camp on a Saturday & Sunday. Appointments to be made via the Hawes or Aysgarth Surgeries.
• As from 1st February Central Dales will no longer offer non-NHS Travel vaccinations. Help and advice will be given, but only NHS Travel vaccinations will be available at the Hawes and Aysgarth Surgeries.
• Discharge from hospital:
If at all possible hospital patients will be discharged to their own home, and their GP will be notified. If a patient isn’t able to go home safely, and does not need further nursing care, their GP could be asked to take responsibility for the patient in a Step up Step down accommodation if this is available. If not, a bed in a community hospital e.g. The Friary may be another option. Family members need to understand the discharge process so that the Discharge Officer is made aware of any factors that a patient may forget, or gloss over, during their discharge interview. Some patients will need to be discharged into a Community Hospital or a Nursing Home if they need on-going nursing care. Others may need to move into a Care Home on a permanent basis. Social Services could then become involved.
• Proposed medical hub in Catterick Camp. A GP surgery will still be present in Richmond town and no services will be lost to the community, although some might move from the Friary to the new centre.
• The Volunteer Community Car Scheme costs for medical purposes i.e. visits to hospital or to see a GP, are capped at £20 per trip for patients. NYCC currently pay any cost over and above this. Phil Henderson, the Manager of the Richmondshire Community Care Association can be contacted on 01642 710085 by anyone interested in volunteering or needing a lift.
• Staying in the Premier Inn (round the corner from James Cook), could be more economic than travelling daily for on-going treatment. The recent announcement that free NHS Wi-Fi is available at both James Cook and the Friarage Hospitals should help family & friends communicate with patients. For more details contact STHsNHSFT on 01642 854343.
• RDC’s enhanced Lifeline Service- Help for aids / adaptations to homes costing less than £5K are not means tested. Anyone able to benefit from this ring fenced funding should apply asap to RDC.
Jane Ritchie, Hon Secretary, Upper Dales Health Watch