General Practitioners. Various views were evidence regarding public awareness of presented, and evidence gaps this availability. highlighted. The overall finding of this investigation The survey found that General was that, if there is varied and available Practitioners were the most popular access to GP appointments, weekend providers of the vaccination. 10% of opening is only preferred for serious respondents knew that it was available at conditions. supermarkets. This is a relatively low number and suggests that the public’s awareness of this provider is not widely known. Based on the findings, HWS made recommendations which included, publicising where flu immunisation is It was also found that GP opening times is available, especially in supermarket a far more complex area than simply pharmacies. asking people when they want GPs to open, depending on several factors, and SWB CCG responded to each of our it is difficult to obtain meaningful recommendations. evidence. Patient Participation Groups There was significant preference shown for most of the appointment times and Commencing September 2017, HWS with booking methods presented in the a team of volunteers began visiting each investigation scenarios. There was also GP Practice to find out patients’ considerable support for a Skype or awareness and involvement in Patient telephone consultation with any GP, if it Participation Groups (PPGs). was within ten minutes of the request. Image of one of our reports Flu Jab Survey From 1 April 2015, it became a contractual requirement for all English In June and July 2017 HWS carried out an practices to form a PPG and to make investigation into the public’s awareness reasonable efforts for this to be of where flu vaccinations could be representative of the practice obtained. This investigation resulted from population. PPGs are the primary an item at the SWB CCG Primary Care mechanism for GPs to engage with Committee, where patients. evidence on the positive effects of flu vaccination in relation to hospital We are surveying each practice admissions was presented. There was a separately, town by town, as all practices discussion that identified that they are have their own ways of working. made available widely and that this is publicised. However, there was no
General Practitioners. Various views were presented, and evidence gaps highlighted. The overall finding of this investigation was that, if there is varied and available access to GP appointments, weekend opening is only preferred for serious conditions. It was also found that GP opening times is a far more complex area than simply asking people when they want GPs to open, depending on several factors, and it is difficult to obtain meaningful evidence. There was significant preference shown for most of the appointment times and booking methods presented in the investigation scenarios. There was also considerable support for a Skype or telephone consultation with any GP, if it was within ten minutes of the request. Flu Jab Survey In June and July 2017 HWS carried out an investigation into the public’s awareness of where flu vaccinations could be obtained. This investigation resulted from an item at the SWB CCG Primary Care Committee, where evidence on the positive effects of flu vaccination in relation to hospital admissions was presented. There was a discussion that identified that they are made available widely and that this is publicised. However, there was no evidence regarding public awareness of this availability. The survey found that General Practitioners were the most popular providers of the vaccination. 10% of respondents knew that it was available at supermarkets. This is a relatively low number and suggests that the public’s awareness of this provider is not widely known. Based on the findings, HWS made recommendations which included, publicising where flu immunisation is available, especially in supermarket pharmacies. SWB CCG responded to each of our recommendations. Patient Participation Groups Commencing September 2017, HWS with a team of volunteers began visiting each GP Practice to find out patients’ awareness and involvement in Patient Participation Groups (PPGs). Image of one of our reports From 1 April 2015, it became a contractual requirement for all English practices to form a PPG and to make reasonable efforts for this to be representative of the practice population. PPGs are the primary mechanism for GPs to engage with patients. We are surveying each practice separately, town by town, as all practices have their own ways of working.
healthwatch_sandwell_annual_report_2017-18_final.docx