Would you like to become a member of the Patient Participation Group (PPG)?
The PPG are an important line of communication between the surgery and the patients.
The PPG are active in the surgery garden, hold coffee mornings for McMillan Cancer and other charities in the year. They also volunteer to help when needed with Flu/Covid Clinics.
If you would be interested in becoming a member please email: fernhouse.patientgroup@nhs.net or message reception through Accurx on the front page
PPG Terms of Reference - July 2024
PPG Terms of Reference - July 2024 (PDF, 184KB)
PPG Terms of Reference Appendix 1 - July 2024 (DOCX, 20KB)
Our next PPG meeting will be on the 2nd February, Monday 2026 at Witham Leisure Centre, Wellness room.
This will be 4pm to 5:30pm
Members will be contacted before to confirm attendence
(Please note: Location may change but we will inform patients closer to the time)
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AGM PPG MEETING FERN HOUSE SURGERY
DATE: OCTOBER 8TH 2025
PPG Newsletter
An AGM is an opportunity to take stock and remind ourselves why a patient group is an important feedback and discussion mechanism so that information can flow between patients and GP services. With the main other sources being online and the expected demise of Healthwatch it
remains a face to face option.
What's happening in the NHS:
This has been a year in which the NHS has been, as so of ten, the focus of change. We have seen the publication of the NHS ten year plan -3 main ideas - digitisation (moving away from paper based systems) / care closer to home - remote monitoring using technology / and a much enhanced focus on preven ion of ill health.
An lpsos poll showed that while people are now mostly used to digitisat ion in day to day life, they very much still value choice in how they access services, health or otherwise.
What's happening locally
Locally we will see boundary changes to all areas so that inst ead of MSE (Mid and South Essex) we will likely become Greater Essex Integrated Care Board. This will be followed by changes to local authorities under the title of Greater Essex.
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At our Primary care network
One of the most interesting changes to me has been the work of Integrated neighbourhood teams who actively support priority changes across Primary Care Networks.
They are an essential part of the 10 year plan. Their job is to work with PCNs and many partners to bring about change in order to achieve vital health developments It is my intention to focus on these teams during one of our meetings next year.
Integrated Care Board (ICB) AGM
At this recent AGM I learned that considerable work is being undertaken in the NOVA project to produce a single data platform for the electronic patient record.
Start for Life brings together services for Children. I also discovered the Burns Outreach Bus which follows up and treats burns patients close to In the community Part of bringing services into the community, in Thurrock the first Consultation and Diagnostic Skills Centre has opened and I will be seeking an appointment to visit the centre and learn how it functions in anticipation of the opening of the Braintree site next year .
Our volunteers,
Thanks to all who have tended the garden at Fern and baked for the MacMillan cake sale. Thanks to Susan Ager our vice chair who this year took on the organisation of this event which raised £295.
You nay have noticed the removal of the ivy from the garden wall.
This has been accomplished by the garden group. One stubborn root was removed recently by the determination of members of the group, adding to the achievements so far. We're busy tidying up for the winter so you may not see us for a while but we will be back in the spring.
I would like to see ideas for more such projects if members of the PPG would suggest possibilities and lead where appropriate. I will organise a workshop to discuss this if some of you are willing.
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Our PCN
John and I continue to attend the Maldon and Witham PCN board and give our input on all topics raised. We were interested to hear about a project which sought to understand why some patients visit the surgery very frequently and looking at providing much more comprehensive care so that underlying mental health and physical issues are thoroughly addressed .
At Fern
The Fern quarterly newsletter is available online and we thank the team at Fern for their hard work. We get the opportunity to read drafts and offer ideas and are pleased to contribute.
Please look out for this in the Fern website.
The PPG will soon have a notice board where we will put out newsletters. The new Reception Manager attended the meeting and promised to return and tell us more about the work she does.
Issues raised by members. Staff were complimented on the excellent service and updated us on the new members joining the team .
Proposed dates for meetings in 2026
As we sometimes have to move dates during the year I have asked the practice manager to help us to avoid confusion by establishing weeks within which the meetings will take place so that we can refine the actual
date as necessary.
In January the week of the 12th or 29th, in April week of 6th or 13th, in July week of 6th or 13th and in September or October to be decided. As this year we will keep the winter dates earlier at 4pm and the spring and summer lighter evenings at 5pm.
Next PPG Meeting will be held in 8th October 2025.
Witham Leisure Centre, Wellness room 4pm-5:30pm
Patient Participation Group meeting
7th July 2025
Chairs report- Marian Redding
Marian welcomed the 19 members attending including Vice Chairs, John Wood and Susan Ager, and the Fern team.
As there was a speaker on this occasion the usual agenda was cut short.
Chair’s Update
- To draw your attention to a report from Healthwatch looking at the success of the Patients First scheme in pharmacies. Please find the link to the newsletter below:
Patients First scheme
- To note the publication of the long trailed 10 Year NHS Plan. There is much to be learned but a lengthy read. Please find the link below:
10 Year NHS Plan
- To tell you about the plan to increase and support Virtual PPGs within Mid and South Essex. They will not replace the face-to-face meeting but will enable more communication to a wider group of patients within a practice. Training will be available as management of this group will sit largely with the PPG and it is hoped that more links to survey opportunities will develop from this. If you are interested in helping with this, please contact fernhouse.patientgroup@nhs.net or let Reception know.
- Regarding events - Sue is running this year’s MacMillan cake sale on Friday 26th September at Fern House. Look out for the posters with QR codes for Just Giving.
The AGM will take place on Tuesday October from 4pm at Witham Leisure Centre, Wellness room. If there is any changes made to this then we will post an update on the Fern House Surgery website.
Please note: Winter meetings begin at 4pm
Fern House Surgery Update
- A new salaried GP will be joining the team, Dr Philippa Jefferson. She will work two days a week, her normal working days from August will be Wednesday & Thursdays.
- We are pleased to welcome Toby Pearson a nurse practitioner who will be joining the practice from September.
- The services of phlebotomist Suely Welsh are helping to provide many more blood tests locally.
- There has been an update to the messaging service from Patches to AccuRx. This has been updated on our surgery website. It is yet to be updated on the NHS App as we are still in the transitioning period.
- We were reminded that the car park at Fern House Surgery is only available for those with blue badges.
Introducing the speaker Dan Doherty
Dan is Alliance Director for Mid Essex and was here to update us on the changes affecting the (ICB) Integrated Care Boards, the potential changes as council boundaries change and with them possibly health areas. He also spoke about the continuing services based at St. Peters Hospital, Maldon.
The Mid and South Essex ICB is cutting staffing levels. This matters to us because ICBs are responsible for Commissioning health services for the area they represent. This is a difficult job as competing needs must be resolved. Alongside this are the expected changes to council areas and the possible models of how many and what size these may be. Essex will also gain an elected mayor. As councils allocate funding for social care these factors matter. Watch out for a decision in February 2026! Meanwhile health services must be working out the meaning of neighbourhood care and how GPs can provide services for neighbourhoods. The presence of neighbourhood hubs relating to small towns may include GP services alongside social and council care and possibly more.
On the three shifts within the 10-year plan: there is a wealth of detail in the paper produced this month. Please find the link below for the summaries:
10 Year NHS Plan
10 Year plan explained
St Peter’s hospital may in the future provide such a hub as the recommendation of the latest report is that the site should be supported and eventually developed. The ICB will be considering these recommendations. It is expected that midwife led births will remain in Braintree with antenatal and postnatal appointments offered at St.Peters.
Questions
Using Brentwood hospital stroke unit for mid Essex patients was thought questionable by some members. For some it is a considerable distance and expensive for relatives visiting for some weeks.
Another question asked were NHS services being duplicated and out of control. Once hospitals offered many services on one site and now there would be many hubs. While attending more local appointments wherever possible works well for cutting down travel and costs and often helps with accessing public transport or parking, not everyone agrees. It was suggested that clear guidelines be used to understand how these services should develop. End of life care also needs guidelines. Housing developments will also require more services and will lead to new neighbourhoods being formed. Dr Mayat reported on funding.
April 2025 PPG
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the two vice chairs and attending Fern staff
As the evenings are lighter both the April and July PPGs are at 5pm. We hope this gives those of you who work a greater chance of attendance. Drivers can enjoy better visibility in the lighter evenings.
Apologies that the originally published date had to be revised to enable practice staff to attend. For the July meeting we have invited Dan Docherty of the Mid Essex Alliance section of the NHS. This will be an opportunity to hear how primary and Community Care is developing and changing. There will be time to ask questions and hopefully to hear about the latest news.
For this evening we have Sarah and Nicole from Fern who will describe the facts and figures they are taking notice of. John and I will discuss attendance at PCN events and PPGs in Maldon and Tollesbury.
PCN/ PPGs
PCN meetings are held most months and one of us attends. There has also been a series of facilitation events to help the teams work together. We felt welcome to the most recent one. As members we see data on performance and will note steps to building the NHS plan locally. We see the wider picture across the PCN and Mid Alliance.
The common factor in all PPGs visited was the existence of a face to face group/ the support of the practice with attendance from practice managers and in most cases of a GP/ the production of notes, some detailed and formal, and the generation of ideas to support patient care.
Each is willing to share ideas and we have tried where useful to pass these on.
For example the work with schools to inform 13+ students of their rights and encourage membership of a 16 year old to the PPG. (Longfield with the Plume)
Vice Chair John discussed the issues with communication from Primary Care Networks to patients using their services.
He said that he believes there are common themes around Patient Education/Communications and Good Practice - the school example being one.
Patient Education/Comms includes - comms over vaccination programmes, DNAs, practice news (e.g. training days, new staff, new services) patients not always needing to see a GP, how to use Patchs, System Online, eConsult, cancelling appointments if not required, pharmacy services
Good Practice observed included
- user friendly websites,
- recognition of the importance of clear communications,
- explanation of the use of staff to reduce DNAs (Longfield) plus school/academy visits.
Other issues - ask more patients to consent to txts and e mail, uncluttered notice boards, TV screens to give important info.
Practice management team at Fern House Surgery reminded the group of the use of Patches via the surgery website to make enquiries or to book appointments Fern House Surgery. This allows staff to answer promptly but to do this during the day rather than at 8am.
To book appointments or make enquiries is found at the top of the front page on our website, it has recently been updated to be clearer to navigate. https://www.fernhousesurgery.co.uk/ You can access Patchs or SystmOnline through these links.
Patchs is open throughout the day from 8am-6:30pm
Alternatively, you can use SystmOnline or NHS App to book appointments for Blood tests, Smears, NHS checks and GP appointments. There are limited number of appointments available to book on SystmOnline or NHS App but you can view this at any time of the day. A lot of information that patients would enquire about is usually found on SystmOnline or NHS App.
The practice newsletters are now available had been produced. Please take a moment to read these.
The practice newsletters are found on the front page of our website https://www.fernhousesurgery.co.uk/ The Surgery Newsletter will be monthly, and the PCN Newsletter will be done every few months to update patients on anything new and services that are available.
Surgery newsletter:
May 2025 newsletter (PDF, 135KB)
PCN Newsletter:
Witham & Maldon PCN Newsletter Summer 2025 (PDF, 149KB)
Use your local library to learn how to operate the NHS App. The Witham library is now receiving more bookings for their afternoon sessions.
Further information on our website:
https://www.fernhousesurgery.co.uk/pages/NHS-App-and-account-support?Highlight=nhs+app
They can go onto the Essex Library Service website to find the events and location for this
https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/events
February 2025 PPG
Chair’s Report from Marian Redding
Marian welcomed those attending and thanked Fusion for the use of their room.
17 patients attended
The keyword for both the PPG and GP Fern House is Communication. To this end you will soon notice a monthly Fern House newsletter developed by the team. Those who attended the PPG were invited to comment on the draft newsletter. An amended copy of this should be available shortly. Vice Chair John Wood is assisting the team with this.
As part of the job of PPG representatives on the Maldon and Witham PCN (Primary Care Network) Board. John and Marian are establishing links and visiting all the PPGs existing within the six practices in the group. We simply wish to establish clear routes for PPG issues to be brought to the Board and to ask for a regular agenda item to summarise these. This has already yielded some great ideas that we can share. More of this at the next meeting in April.
Regarding the NHS App - thanks to a meeting with Blackwater PPG we learned that all libraries can offer one to one appointments to show patients how to use the App. Witham library has afternoon sessions that patients can book.
In the wider NHS I want to draw your attention to the 10-year plan. This highlights the highlights three significant shifts required:
- from an analogue system to a digital one
- from care in hospitals to care in the community
- and from a system that treats sickness to one that prevents ill health.
These key areas will guide health policy that we hope will lead to a service that better meets people’s needs - a tall order!
So how does primary care improve health? - Working within our primary care network of six practices we do this through vaccination and screening, through social prescribing referrals for social isolation, weight and lifestyle improvement and support for national programs such as diabetes prevention and bowel cancer screening. To broaden this, we need to work with partners - local authorities are the key partner but each locality has a range of innovative offers so local knowledge at practice and PCN level is essential.
Like many fantastic innovations in the NHS, which need robust systems behind them, IT systems can assist patients. One service of note is the My Recovery App now used to support hip and knee operation recovery.
As it is now the 5-year anniversary of Covid there are many reflections on this in the media. Patients might find the BBC 4 radio programme Inside Health ‘How did Covid 19 change medicine?’
How did Covid 19 change medicine?
Practice Information
We were pleased to welcome Sarah George, practice manager and GP Dr Wright. They informed us that several new staff would be joining the Fern team. Practice nurse Leena Jhundoo will undertake a range of duties and is doing further training in Asthma and COPD. This is a much-needed area of patient support. A new phlebotomist, Suely Welsh, is running blood tests clinics from 7-8 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 8 am -12 midday on Wednesdays. Two new GPs have joined. They are Dr Abid and Dr Khan. The new patient services manager is Paula Stubbs. Her duties include overseeing reception and the patient experience. Staff additions make more appointments possible. Remembering to cancel an appointment if not required as this makes more space for others to obtain the care they need.
One area that was discussed was the addition of the Patches system which can be accessed from your NHS App or from the Fern House website. This allows you to send a message directly to reception rather than telephoning or going to the surgery. It has benefits to all and should remove some of the stress of getting through in other ways. We will discuss this further at the April meeting. Meanwhile the way to connect is from the App Home Screen to Services screen then Contact your GP about a health problem or Contact your GP for a document or update.
The next PPG meeting - 15th April 5pm-6pm at Witham Leisure Centre, Wellness room.
The following meeting is July 7th at 5pm-6pm at Witham Leisure Centre, Wellness room. There will be a speaker from Mid Essex.
2025 PPG Meeting
Our next PPG meeting date has now been confirmed!
26th February 2025 16:00-1730 at the Witham Leisure Centre, Wellness Room.
If you wish to attend this, please contact reception.
Chair's report
Practice Manager's report
Questions
Some of these details are subject to change but we will update members if any changes have been made.