6th September
2005
The meeting
was kindly sponsored by Hannah Murphy and Lauren Gorman of Astra
Zeneca
The purpose of this meeting was to present the annual
accounts to the Group members and provide a forum for the members to discuss
and decide on how the Group should progress over the coming year.
Dr Vik Mohan outlined the principal roles of the Group which
have evolved over time, namely educational, supportive and political roles. The
members felt that the monthly meetings work particularly well and no-one
present felt that these should be changed in format.
The skin forum was in the process of being organised but a
venue had yet to be found. The possibility of a psychiatry workshop was
discussed and this would be looked at in the future.
The issue of IT training for the members was also discussed
but it was felt that the logistics of establishing such an event, bearing in
mind the number of different software packages currently in use, would prove
too difficult. As such Vik agreed to send a letter from the Group to all
Practices reiterating our commitment to working effectively with each of these
systems and reminding Practices to notify their sessional
GPs of suitable computer training days. It was suggested that the members
should provide to the Group any particularly useful web-sites found along the
way and these in turn could be included in the monthly minutes.
Vik also discussed information cascade and how best to
achieve this for the Group members. Suggestions were made to ask individual
Practices to include sessional GPs on circulations
and Vik agreed to scour the in-trays of Practices over the next 1-2 months and
report back on his findings.
With regard to the Groups supportive role, Vik highlighted
the importance of providing support to new as well as existing members. The
possibility of establishing a mentoring group, where a small number of members
are trained up to mentor other Group members, was discussed. It did not meet
with huge enthusiasm but it was decided to raise this potentially very useful
personal development tool for discussion at future meetings. Dr Peter Kennerley
(as LMC representative on the Group committee) reminded the members that the
LMC was also there in a supportive/advisory capacity for its members. Dr Mohan
again called on the members to support the LMC with appropriate subscriptions. It was agreed that establishing a list of
Practices which provide both good and poor support to its sessional
GPs (through a range of criteria) would be very useful. Such a list would allow
the Group to provide advice to those Practices offering limited support, in addition
to acknowledging those Practices already offering good support. It was felt
such a list (which would require regular updating) would also be useful
information for new sessional GPs to the area.
The Group’s political role has traditionally been more as an
information provider and Dr Mohan asked the members present if they wished the
Group to be more politically active on their behalf. The members felt that
there needed to be an increase in political involvement by the Group at
present.
Mallory Lynsey (Project Officer
for Choose and Book East Devon) will be at the next meeting (4th
October) to provide Smart cards to Group members which
will enable sessional GPs to use the Choose and Book
system. The Choose and Book system is part of the NPfIT/Connecting for Health Programme
and individual Smart cards are required to enter and use the system. The
provision of the Smart card is a simple process and requires an individual
photograph and completed form. The form can be obtained prior to the meeting
from Lynsey by emailing her on Lynsey.Mallory@EastDevon-PCT.nhs.uk.
Dr Mohan again highlighted the widening gap between salaried
and partners’ pay. The worsening situation is due primarily to the fact that
salaried pay is locked into the DDRB annual pay-rise recommendation unlike the
partners’ pay award. The NASGP website has some very useful information on the
current situation. The BMA website provides a model contract which is strongly
recommended and further advice can be obtained from the BMA and GPC.
Establishing a dedicated website for the Group was discussed
but it was agreed that the best approach may be to investigate whether the
current Group page on the LMC website could be revamped. Dr Kennerley agreed to liaise with the LMC on
this matter.
Dr Baker again reminded the Group that certificates of proof
of attendance at the ESGPG meetings could be provided on request by emailing
her (diane@belbury.freeserve.co.uk)
Dr Jo Fearon and Dr Prue Mitchell have “answered the call”
and have kindly volunteered to assist the committee with maintaining/improving
the activities of the Group. Jo has agreed to act as Social Secretary and
hopefully we will soon see the fruits of her labour.
4th Oct 05 “Low
back, ankle and shoulder injuries” Dave MacLellan (Physiotherapist,
1st Nov 05 “Nutrition - current thinking and best practice with
particular reference to obesity in children and adults” – Frankie Phillips (British
Dietetic Association)
6th Dec 05 “Knee problems in
young adults” – Mr Peter Schrantz
3rd Jan 06 Resuscitation update
and AGM
7th Feb 06 To be confirmed (? Yvette Parker – Mental health in children and young adults)
7th Mar 06 “Complementary medicine – Its safety and its place with
conventional medicine” – Prof Ernst
The next HPE study day meeting dates are as follows:
19th
September – Child Protection Issues
18th
October
9th
November
6th
December
All are welcome and it’s
free. Unfortunately
funding for those previously eligible has now been withdrawn but the meetings
will continue and everyone is strongly encouraged to attend. Contact John
Deacon on 01752 311972.
Please note that the meetings are now scheduled to start at 7.00pm and food arrives at 7.15pm with
the guest speaker planned to commence at 7.45pm.
Dr Diane Baker.............................................................................................. Email:
diane@belbury.freeserve.co.uk
Dr Jo Fearon............................................................................................... Email:
Jofearon@doctors.org.uk
Dr Liam Kinsella ........................................................................................... Email:
lkinsella@doctors.org.uk
Dr Peter
Kennerley (LMC Representative) ...................................................... Email: peter.kennerley1@btopenworld.com
Dr Prue Mitchell......................................................................................... Email:
mohanvik@hotmail.com
Dr Vik Mohan ............................................................................................... Email:
mohanvik@hotmail.com