Abridge Surgery
Minutes of PPG meeting
Thursday 29th October, 2015 at 7pm
Attendees: Anurita Rohilla, David Mills, John Stevenson, John Smith, Jennifer Creswell, Sandra Wood, Christine Stubbins, Angela Vane, Sue Surridge, 
Michelle Anstiss (Chair), Michael Hall (Practice Manager)
(MA was not Chair at this meeting – she was elected at this meeting, MH was Chairing)
Apologies: David Riches, Mel Husted-Smith
Guest Speaker

•	Anurita Rohilla (Chief Pharmacist West Essex) gave a very lively, informative and most interesting presentation.  She carried out an interactive discussion which was very well received.
•	Thank you to Anurita.  All attendees complimented her on her presentation.  
•	She covered many areas some of the key messages were as follows:-
o	“you don’t need to take antibiotics for illnesses like coughs, colds or flu”
o	“if we don’t tackle drug-resistant infections now, it’s predicted that by 2050 they could cost the world $100 trillion in lost output”
o	“take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, never save them for later, never share them with others”.

1.	Areas discussed:-
Cost of drug wastage – suggested that this is highlighted in posters in the surgery and in an article in the Link Up Magazine.
Include information about the MHRS Yellow card scheme in the Link Up Magazine and to be aware of World Antibiotics Awareness week 16-22nd November, 2015
ACTION -  Posters and additional information put up in Surgery waiting room and forms available from Reception.
Dosset boxes – cautions regarding their use and drugs stored within, advise – always speak to your pharmacist if you have queries.  
2.	Election of members to specific roles of the PPG 
Michelle Anstiss volunteered to chair the meetings – the group supported this suggestion.
After the meeting, David Mills contacted Amanda and put himself forward to be PPG Secretary.
3.	Discussed ways to improve membership of the PPG.  MH noted that the PPG was advertised on the Surgery website, but group noted that not all patients will access this.  The Link Up Magazine was thought to be a good medium for highlighting this group and attracting new members from a cross-section of patients (e.g. young mothers)
4.	The next meeting will be chaired by Michelle Anstiss, Michael Hall will be in attendance.
5.	The Hub – Saturday and Sunday in Loughton Medical Centre (appointments must be booked via Abridge Surgery).  Some of the group were not aware of this new service.  It was felt that this should be advertised in the Link Up Magazine and posters in the surgery. 
Action – the Hub has been advertised in the Link Up Magazine 
Any other business
•	John Stevenson suggested that surgery information can be put into the Theydon Bois local Link Up magazine (like Abridge’s  Link Up Magazine).
Action – Amanda to contact Parish Clerk to include specific information. 
•	PPG members please forward any agenda ideas to Michelle / Amanda (via Amanda) up to 2 weeks before the date of the next meeting. 

Meeting closed at 8.50pm
Thank you to all who attended
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 28th January, 2016 at 7pm at the  Abridge Village Hall with guest speaker Dr.Rob Gerlis  (GP & Chair of West Essex CCG)  who will host a question and answer session.  
Please see attached information regarding Dr.Gerlis.
Future dates for your diary – Wednesday 20th April at 7pm – Guest speaker 
Ros Willsher who is from the Dementia Friends Information Group