| 1. |
WELCOME Sheena
Craig welcomed everyone to the meeting. It was agreed that the
planned visit to the A&E Department need no longer take place as the
majority of members were present at the official opening.
Arrangements can be made for anyone who still wishes to visit the
Department at a later date. |
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| 2. |
APOLOGIES Isabel
Ferrier Jean Forbes Jean Castle Malcolm Smart Sandy Morrison,
Trustee of Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Lachie Robertson,
Quality Manager, Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Alison Phimister,
Local Services Manager - Caithness, CGH |
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| 3. |
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS
MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 30 July 2001
were agreed to be a correct record. |
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| 4. |
MATTERS ARISING
Group Membership Mr John Bond telephoned in response to the
letter he received enquiring whether he wished to remain as a member
of the group. Mr Bond indicated that he had written earlier in the
year to advise that he could no longer participate in the group as
he was moving from the area. This letter had not been received but
Mr Bond was thanked for his response. |
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Patients Council
Minutes Members of the group reported to have seen the minutes
available in the libraries and at the Medical Centres at Davidson’s
Lane, Thurso; Halkirk and on the counter at Wick. The minutes were
not available at the Princes Street Surgery in Thurso. It was agreed
that this issue should be raised with Alison Phimister. |
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| 5. |
WAITING TIMES
Information on the waiting lists and waiting times was distributed.
Sheena intimated that the NHS guarantee that nobody should wait for
more than 1 year before being given an appointment has been lowered
to 9 months. It was agreed that the inpatient waiting list figures
are fine but concern was raised over the outpatient times and
numbers for Ophthalmology; ENT; and Orthodontics. It has been
intimated that there will be nurse led clinics for Diabetics to help
reduce the waiting times. Consultants will assess patients and
indicate who can be referred to the nurse led clinic. |
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| 6. |
CLINICAL STANDARDS
BOARD - Update Review of Care of Patients Post MI - A copy of
the draft report has been seen. A group has been convened to draw up
an action plan for unmet criteria. Many of these will be addressed
by the recently appointed Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse - Mike
McGivern. Insufficient audit has been cited as a problem and this
should be rectified by the recent identification of a member of
staff from Medical Records Department to gather data for onward
transmission to Clinical Audit Department for analysis.
Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer - The Clinical Standards
Board visited on Monday, 17 September 2001. Initial feedback was
fairly positive although there may be an issue over clinical
networking to be addressed. Also the length of time for definitive
diagnosis should be 24-48 hours whereas our results take from 7 - 10
days because we do not have a pathologist on-site. A draft report is
awaited. Generic - The Self Assessments have been completed
and representatives will be attending Raigmore on 27 September to
see how CGH measures up to the standards as set. Anne Campbell will
be representing the Patients Council. |
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| 7. |
REPRESENTATION ON
OTHER GROUPS Meetings are being arranged for the working groups.
It was agreed that progress on the Highland Health Council visit to
the Queen Elizabeth Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit should be
included as an agenda item for the next meeting. |
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| 8. |
ARBUTHNOTT FUNDING
NHS Highland has received additional funding from the Scottish
Executive and it was queried whether further developments would now
be seen. Sheena indicated that the Highland Health Plan was
committed to the following:- Expenditure as a result of the
guidelines following recent Decontamination and Sterilisation
Legislation Video Endoscopy Equipment Renal Services. Renal
Services An option appraisal is being carried out as to the
possibility of opening a Renal Dialysis Unit at Caithness General
Hospital or Belford Hospital. It has been acknowledged that there is
a need for 2 satellite units but the debate is to which area should
be first. Dr Brunton has assessed both sites but due to annual leave
a decision has not been announced yet. If CGH is identified as the
preferred site a full business case has to be developed and funding
agreed. Thereafter, the project will take a while to be set up as
building work would be required and training issues addressed. The
members of the Patients Council intimated their full support to
promote this service in Caithness. |
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| 9. |
RECRUITMENT OF NEW
MEMBERS It was agreed that following the resignation of several
members a recruitment drive for 4 members should take place. An
advertisement will be placed in the local press and notices put up
around the hospital. It was agreed that for “experience” the “recent
past” should be used instead of a specific period. |
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10. |
ANY OTHER COMPETENT
BUSINESS Pastoral Partnership Meeting Rena Mappin reported on
her attendance as a representative of the group at the recent
Pastoral Partnership meeting. Rena expressed her surprise at the
fact that there was some doubt expressed by a member of the clergy
as to the accuracy of statistics which had been produced to show the
percentage of patients wishing to see the chaplains or their own
minister whilst in hospital. |
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Pain Management
Clinics Discussion arose as to the establishment of Pain
Management Clinics at CGH. It was intimated that this service was
previously provided by the Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Brian Campbell
who had a particular interest in this field. Dr Campbell has now
left and the remaining Consultant Anaesthetists are not qualified in
this field. |
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Information Leaflet
A recent article in the local press where a local minister
expressed his dismay that Insurance Services were being advertised
on the back of an information leaflet about hospital services was
discussed. It was agreed that Kay should contact Alex Robertson,
Charge Nurse at Dunbar to establish whether this leaflet had been
available within the outpatients area at the Dunbar Hospital.
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Telephone Rates
It was indicated that the telephones at Raigmore are supported by
different telephone companies- Mercury and BT, who have different
rates for their phone cards. It was agreed that Lachie Robertson
should be asked whether this can be investigated and if the
rates/minute can be established. An indication of where the phone
cards can be bought would also be useful. |
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Visiting Times
The visibility of information regarding visiting times was
discussed. It was intimated that this information is available in
the Visitors Leaflet and also on signs on the walls at the wards.
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Hospital Food
The recent survey on hospital food which was carried out in England
was discussed. It was noted that the survey had mentioned that most
hospitals have an allowance of £3 - £5 per day to cater for each
patient. It was agreed that further discussions on this will be
undertaken by the working group which has been identified to look at
the catering services. |
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Public Transport
It was intimated that a member of the group had been approached by a
patient who had recently had to attend Raigmore Hospital for an
outpatient appointment and had required to use public transport
which required the gentleman to leave early in the morning and
return by the 4.45 bus in the evening. Transport arrangements for
patients were discussed in general and it was clarified that if
deemed appropriate the GPs can request ambulance car transport. If
the patient is deemed fit enough then they are required to make
their own arrangements and be reimbursed under the Patient Travel
Scheme. |
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| 11. |
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date and time of next meeting is Monday 3 December 2001 at
2.00 pm in the Conference Room, Caithness General Hospital.
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