Jan. 15, 2025

Minutes

Pond Tail Surgery Patients Participants Group

Minutes of Meeting

Meeting # 20, Wednesday 15th January 2025 @ 1900 hrs, Pond Tail Surgery:

1. Welcome: Geoff Stone welcomed all to the 20th meeting and noted that numerous absences were advised including

Alban Smith Brindle, who resigned from the PPG.

2. Attendees & Apologies: Geoff Stone, Huw Williams, Ian Smith and Dr Edward Tang, Fran Lemanska, Jenny

Williams from Pond Tail Surgery (PTS). Apologies from Alban Smith Brindle, Alan White, Jackie Clarke, John Buck,

Dr Penny Geer, Ifesi Anyamene were not in attendance.

3. PPG Terms of Reference & Purpose: The PPG had not developed a Vision statement. PTS’s Vision statement was

included in the PTS website, no such Mission statement exists. A PPG Vision statement and possibly a Mission

statement will be prepared by the next meeting.

4. PPG Newsletter: 1. The Newsletter team met and produced the January publication in early December,

congratulations to those involved. 2. Topics included PPG advert for new members, Congratulations to our Local

Pharmacy and Key points from last PTS meeting. 3. Future topics under consideration include: A. Collective Action

to Protect General Practice and Patient Care in East Surrey Letter, B. PPG Poster for New Members (including

those with DoE need), C. PPG Vision statement, D. New Surgery Pod Experience, E. Anti Hate Campaign,

F. Quality and Diversity Awareness Campaign, G. PTS New Premises Update.

5. Newsletter Distribution: 1. Newsletter articles were issued to Godstone and Bletchingley magazine editors on 9

Dec for early Jan 2025 publications. The Newsletter was posted on the notice board and available in PTS reception.

6. Recruitment: 1. Other surgeries including Caterham and Oxted target Duke of Edinburgh participants to support

them. Advertise for younger people to support PTS via Newsletter and Magazines - GS.

7. PTS Surgery Update: 1. Staff: Physio therapist Lynne Palmer-Wilson started in Oct 2024. Admin position started in

Dec 2024, the other is outstanding. Dr Onaolopa started on 15 Jan 2025. Dr Umeh’s replacement will start in Feb.

2. Migration to the new SystemOne IT system was successfully carried out on 20 Nov 2024 and was considered to

be in normal operations. Resolution of teething problems (e.g. medication reviews), embedment of new clear

processes together with additional staff training, were started and will be completed in the coming months. Access by

patients will continue to be 0600 - 1700 hrs during Mon - Fri only.

3. Incidents of slanderous writing on PTS property had reduced in recent months. The Police were aware of the

situation, and will act when illegal activities are recorded. External CCTV units had been installed. PTS will continue

to handle the delicate situation, do the best for the community and requested all to be considerate and kind. - All.

4. The Quality and Diversity Awareness programme, continued to be defined - FL. Training of staff continued. Define

way forward including proposed target date in 2025 of a published article - FL. Prepare a magazine article with help

from university author, who had written a book on the subject - PG, FL

5. PTS and Pharmacy Zero Tolerance to Abuse, Violence, etc will be revisited in future as above critical issues are

further advanced. Advise update at Mar 2025 meeting - FL.

6. Collection Action Letter of East Surrey GP Community had been received requesting understanding and support

from all patients in 13 surgeries identified 9 actions which will be carried out. The local medical committee (LMC)

confirmed that actions do not breach contracts. This letter will be published in the next Newsletter - GS

7. IPSOS Mori PTS Performance comparison in East Surrey. Performance was between Oxted and Caterham Valley

and much better than the National average. Best areas included professional interactions, information sharing,

confidence, patient involvement, professional preference. Worst areas included internet access, contacting and

reception experience, next steps after visit, insufficient support for long term.

8. New Premises: Planning and TDC approvals had been completed. State of construction and internal fit out were

unknown. Advise update at Mar meeting. - FL

9. Health Pod equipment was operational, a trial was attempted after Jan meeting, but due to recent ongoing IT

enhancements, will be carried out after the Mar meeting. AW had volunteered to act as video patient and will prepare

a video for use - FL, AW

10. Advise Utube self-instruction guide for Ambassadors, who could support patients when using equipment. - JW

8. PTS Website: No major update to report. Fibre broadband and website was controlled by the NHS, this item will be

deleted in future.

9. Pharmacy & Prescriptions: 1. Godstone Pharmacy was still managing cost shortfall of medicines as many

pharmacies had shut down due to insufficient funds. Prepare a magazine article - IA.

2. BBC interview (in June) had been held to increase awareness and request the public to change from online use to

local Pharmacies. Prepare article for Newsletter - IA.

10. Health Education in Community (new): 1. Future article topics for inclusion in Parish magazines may include:

A. Cervical Screening - PG, B. Immunisation Update - FL, C. Surgery Services - later, D. Minor Operations -

later, E. other Screening Programmes - later, F. Young People (5-25yrs) Issues - later.

2. Changes to Community

11. East Surrey PPG Network and Surrey Health Watch: All relevant material from Dec and Jan (to date) had

been emailed to all PPG members.

12. Facebook, etc: Seek individual with Facebook interest and experience to maintain website.

13. Meetings for 2025:

All meetings will be held on Wed - 15 Jan, 12 Mar, 14 May, 9 Jul, 10 Sep, 12 Nov, and 14 Jan 2026.

Future meetings will be held at PTS small meeting room at 1900 hrs. Those not able to attend can join the

meeting using free MicroSoft Meeting software on the internet, (NHS standard). Advise meeting access

details two days before each meeting - FL

14. AOB: None.