PPG Meeting Minutes April 2026

  • Date: Monday the 27th of April 2026 6pm - 7.15pm
  • Chair: Adrian Pitts
  • Minutes: Sarah Baker

Present

  • Sarah Baker (SB)
  • Dr Julia Wakeham (JW)
  • Arlene Hansell (AH)
  • Robert Cresswell (RC)
  • Mark Munday (MM)
  • Susan Holleran (SH)
  • Jane Hetherton (JH)
  • Lynn Fitzjohn (LF)
  • Susan Nicholds (SN)
  • Peter and Patricia Williams (PEW) (PW)
  • Andrew Mackie (AM)

Apologies 

  • Reuben Lewis (LW)
  • Jo Weston (JW)

Welcome, Introductions and Apologies 

AP welcomed everyone to the AGM and the group introduced themselves. Unfortunately, Jo Weston (WHC) was unwell. In the absence of volunteers, Dr Wakeham kindly said she would minute the meeting. 

Minutes of Last Meeting (Jan 2026)

Agreed and circulated.

Matters Arising Including Actions

No matters raised. 

Nominations and Elections 

Nominations for Chair and Depty Chair for 2026/27 AP agreed to stand for a further year (no further nominations)

Woodlands Update (Including any Actions from Last Meeting and Discussion.

Actions from last meeting 

  • Poster to promote the PP_ AP completed and shared
  • Anima translation (SB) carried forward (AP to work with JO)
  • Wording or website (AP) supplied 

In JO’s absence JW gave a brief update from WHC 

Anima embedded well. Much larger number of appropriate people seen on day, signposted, onwards referrals, right person at right time e.g not booking a doctor for a nurse issue. Large increase in face to face seen. 

Church and ad hoc teaching sessions available. More work on neighbourhood teams and collaboration with PCN for new services. CQC report not yet received. 

Staffing (Changes and Service Changes)

Sarah Baker has left and Jo Weston has taken over the role of Practice Manager, temporarily. JW reported that we are currently fully staffed from a clinical point of view. 

Latest Patient Survey Data (Local and National)

Postponed to July Meeting (JO)

Woodlands performance indicators - postponed to July Meeting (JO)

CQC Report (if available) Not yet recieved (JW)

WHC Practice Data - Postponed to July meeting (JO)

Anima Update

(JW) – there was a lengthy discussion about the access to, use and success of the Kent & Medway ICB’s introduction of the digital gateway ANIMA. JW explained the changes and some misconceptions about the process. The limit on urgent requests was a safety cap as all Anima urgent requests are triaged by a Doctor. The system uses AI to flag issues. NA raised about WHC promoting help events (including one at St Andrew’s Church). This could be something the PPG help with going forward. 

PPG Annual Update and Forward Planning

submitted electronically prior to the meeting; AP outlined the annual report to the group including the discussions on the provision of healthcare in a rapidly growing Paddock Wood. He referenced the vague answers in the document from Kent and Medway ICB in response to questions asked by AP and the Chair of PWTC regarding the financial position for healthcare, and Woodlands related to housing already built which has yet to be spent by the ICB and its strategic vision for the future. The group were not reassured by the strategic planning of the ICB. (NB for website need to attach the report from AP and TWBC/ICB as well) . 

Forward Planning 2026 /27 and discusssion (all) - Posponed to July meeting (AP)

Any other notified buisness (ANOB) - Postponed to July meeting (AP)

  • NHS Free Health Checks LF. This is not offered within the Practice or the PCN
  • Blood tests Blood test communication of what is being tested RC – JW explained that a new system had been introduced and called patients forward automatically. RC reported that the staff taking the blood were not always clear about what was being tested.
  • Nurse training PW JW confirmed that WHC nurses had ongoing training who deal with dressings, trauma wounds etc. and is regularly scheduled.   
  • Parking reminders and signage NA NA suggested a sign along the main reception to remind patients to log their car registration. The practice cannot revoke parking fines; it can only provide proof of a patients visit to the surgery so they can launch an appeal. A sign will be provided.

Things to Note

  • A member of the group raised about on-going cancer support at WHC. JW explained what support was available through secondary care and the Hospice movement. 
  • Patients can be referred or self-refer. Much of this support is provided by cancer care nurses and secondary care. Doctors often are not informed of a diagnosis until much later. 
  • AH had raised several items of business by letter which had been raised at previous meetings, and it was agreed by the Chair that her points would receive a written reply from WHC. 

Date of Next Meeting: 

Wednesday 29th of July 2026.