Oundle Patient Newsletter Summer 2023

Changes made after patient surveys

The Lakeside Partnership ran its own survey for all patients between February and April while a random selection of patients was invited to take part in the National GP survey.  

We received 144 patient responses to our survey while 124 surveys were returned for the national data. Since then we have implemented measures in response to the survey results. 

Mandy Black, Area Manager for Oundle Surgery, said: ‘The National GP Survey contains important data which we will be reviewing carefully. We conducted our own survey earlier this year and have already introduced changes around access, the phone system and customer services. 

‘We have changed the appointment system and are now able to offer a certain number of pre-bookable appointments, plus appointments in the evening or on a Saturday.  

‘We are currently in the process of recruiting a new team member to help reduce the waiting time on the phones and we appreciate your patience while they are training. We are also looking at additional training and development opportunities for patient facing roles. 

‘We are constantly monitoring our workflow and capacity, making changes where possible and we’d like to thank our Patient Group for working with us and patients who took part in both surveys, allowing us to make the most effective improvements where we can.’ 

Join our Patient Participation Group 

We'd like to invite any of our registered patients to join our Patient Participation Group. This allows patients to engage with us on an ongoing and regular basis, outside of clinical appointments. PPGs meet regularly, direct their own activities and set their own agendas. The PPG now has a suggestion box at our reception desk if you wish to put your ideas or views forward.

• The minutes from the PPG meetings are online and there is a series of Q&As about our practice
• More details about the PPG or to sign up

Career Opportunities

Nancy and Polly promoted our job opportunities at a recent careers event in Oundle. We have an ongoing programme of recruitment and are a friendly, close-knit team, so please check our jobs page regularly to see our current opportunities

It’s a real team effort! 

There's a whole range of Primary Care roles so, instead of being directed to a GP first, you could see one of these professionals, many of whom are valued members of our Oundle team ... 

Advanced Practitioners (including nurses, paramedics and physiotherapists) are qualified professionals who have undergone additional specialist training and are able to assess, treat, diagnose, refer and prescribe medication. 

Practice Nurses support many long-term conditions, run clinics and health checks and can treat minor health problems and injuries. 

The Pharmacy/Dispensary team comprises Pharmacists whose expertise around medicines makes them essential members of the healthcare team. They are helped by technicians and assistants who ensure the smooth running of our dispensaries. 

Healthcare Assistants can assist with a range of clinical duties, for example, taking blood samples, blood pressure checks and ECGs under the guidance of the wider healthcare professional team. 

Social Prescribers and Care Coordinators work in partnership with GP practices and can help connect you to local community services and support networks. 

Our care coordinators work closely with local care homes and also support elderly patients in their own home. 

Patient Services Advisors are trained to know about the care and services available to you. They’ll talk to you in confidence about your health problem and book you an appointment with the right healthcare professional or service at the right time. 

Published: Nov 20, 2023