Patient Participation Group (PPG)

About the Patient Participation Group

Patients are occasionally contacted by email and invited to take part in various activities e.g. Patient Surveys. If you would like to sign up, you can either complete our online registration form, or you can fill in a request form available from the front desk in Reception.

Become a PPG member

Whilst feedback from all surveys including the National Surveys, has always been very positive, we do not take our patient’s good wishes and support lightly. We are very keen to solicit feedback from our patients in as many forms as we can. A phone call or a word at the front desk is just as welcome!

We also hold regular Patient Participation Group (PPG) meetings to which all patients are invited.

If you would like to attend, please let reception know or just come along on the night. Everyone is welcome.

Latest Patient Participation Group Meeting Minutes

• Date: Tuesday 17th June 2025 
• Time: 6:30pm
• At: Eastfield House Surgery

Present

• Mark Galliver - GP Partner
• Liz Pope - Practice Manager
• Andrea Allan - Assistant Practice Manager
• Kathy Sandell - Social Prescriber
• Jo Booth - Reception Manager
• 12 x patients attended

Guest Speakers

• Simon Shaw - Healthwatch

Welcome and introductions

Liz Pope thanked everyone for coming, it was lovely to see some familiar faces and new ones too. 

Apologies from getUbetter app 

Becky Broadbear, Project Manager for the getUBetter app sent her apologies for cancelling her presentation on the getUBetter App this evening. The getUBetter app is an NHS approved, safe, digital self management support for all common muscle, bone and joint injuries and conditions (MSK). It gives patients the opportunity to self manage their condition, whether it be new or long term MSK problem, with advice, exercises, videos and a symptom checker. We hope to reschedule the presentation for our next PPG Meeting. 

Staff update

Dr Siva Pirathapan has decided to relocate out of area so will not be staying at Eastfield as a salaried GP. We are in the process again of advertising for a new GP which is challenging. 

Andrea Allan has now taken up the position of Assistant Practice Manager, replacing Tania Coker-Davies has taken a position at Chapel Row Surgery as the new Practice Manager. Andrea has worked at Eastfield House for 8 years and has a lot of experience about the day to day running of Eastfield House. 

Dr Arek Hassy is on long term sick leave but is hoping to return in mid September.

We have two new receptionists, Louise and Michelle who have settled in very well within the reception team

New Premises Update

The planning application for the new premises submitted to West Berkshire Planning in October 2023 with submission of the full application in December 2023, has been approved, subject to some drainage issues. The proposed resolution has been submitted and we are hopeful that the planning team will give final approval.  

The next stage will be to obtain funding to cover the rental cost of the building. Eastfield House will submit a Business Case to our Integrated Care Board (ICB) who cover Berkshire, Oxford and Buckingham. Our ICB have informed us that we will be competing for funding with other surgeries within Berkshire, Oxford and Buckinghamshire, but we are seen as a priority. Greenham Trust have been very supportive, reiterating that they are not in the market to make profit like commercial companies, they are a charity who reinvest any profits made back into the community. 

Greenham Trust will be the developer of the new premises. If the Business Case is approved, Greenham Trust anticipate 18 months to construct the new premises. Currently the plans and drawings are being displayed in our surgery’s waiting room and on our website, for all other patients who haven’t had the opportunity to join us in the engagement event. In addition, patients are welcome to complete the online survey to give us their feedback on the plans

Kathy Sandell - Social Prescriber

Kathy has recently completed the Health Weight Coach training, which she found interesting and looks forward to applying her knowledge in her role. Kathy shared the varied reasons for obesity and weight issues that she had learned like genetic factors and reflecting on our own habits and psychology around food and how making small changes impacts weight management.

She found that the course focused on motivational aspects and a personalised approach with goal setting, social groups or technology to help personalise the weight loss programme to suit the individual.

Follow ups are a positive way to learn how the course impacted the individual and how to improve the service for those who have engaged with it.

Childhood Immunisation Programme

There are some changes to the vaccine schedule for for children. 

• MenB Vaccine (Bexero) will change from administration at 8week, 16 weeks and 12 months to 8 weeks 12 weeks and 12 months.
• Pneumo (Prevenar 13) is changing from administration at 12 weeks and 12 months to 16 weeks and 12 months.
• Hib/Men C is being withdrawn at the 12 months due to excellent protection from teenage MenACWY programme.
• Hib booster will now be given at 18 months with the 6 in 1 vaccine.
• Hep B for children born on or after 1st July 2024, who are on the selective pathway, will be given during their routine vaccinations instead of at 1 year. 
• MMR is currently given at 12 months and a pre school booster 3 years 4 months. This will change to 12 months and 18 months from 1st January 2026 and the Chickenpox vaccine (Varicella) will be added at a later date thus becoming MMRV to include the Varicella.
• DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (Hexavalent) will be given as a 4th dose at 18 months of age for those born on or after 1st July 2024

Cervical Screening changes

The screening service will be changing from 1st July 2025 for women aged between 25-49 who have a normal result and will be recalled in 5 years instead of the current 3 years. This is on the back of the successful introduction of the HPV teenage vaccine in 2008.

Healthwatch – Simon Shaw

Simon Shaw Senior Engagement Officer for the Healthwatch Reading attended the PPG to provide attendees with an overview of a wellness project held by another GP surgery PPG in Crowthorne. This was held to highlight to locals and the patients the local services that are available in the area. He thought it was a wonderful example of showcasing the Surgery linking with local services to provide knowledge to all of a better understanding of the local services available to all.

Patient Panel

There is no update from the Patient Panel except for the fact that RBH improvements are not going ahead as yet due to funding issues

Patient Questions and Suggestions

When is the next flu vaccine to be offered? 

The next flu vaccine date is the 1st October 2025 which allows best cover for the winter season. We will be offering Saturday clinics as usual and some weekday clinics for those who can only come during this time.

How many Phlebotomy clinics do we have at the surgery?

We offer blood test appointments Wednesday’s, Thursday’s and one Saturday per month. The next Saturday clinic is the 5th July 2025.

Do we hope to have more to offer patients with the new build?

Yes, we hope to have a pharmacy with a larger team, a physiotherapist and more GPs to offer appointments to the ever-growing local catchment area. We also already have advancements in the current staff training to help alleviate the GP workload. Advanced Nurse practitioners who can prescribe and a Trainee Nurse Associate from an HCA will all help to share the workload in a more appropriate streamlined manner. 

We are also the only practice with a Home Visiting Team consisting of a practice matron, paramedics and advance practitioner. They are highly skilled and we are very proud of the work that they do to serve our housebound patients and Argyles care home. They also offer minor illness clinics and work out of the temporary cabins which are fundamental to our service.

The planning permission for the cabins is coming to an end and we have reapplied for planning permission for a further two years. 

Date of Next Meeting

• Tuesday 14th October 2025 at 6.30 pm.