Dartmouth Medical Practice Forums Help GPs in Search for New Partner

Dartmouth Medical Practice has thanked its patients for taking part in and giving so much to last week’s public forums.

This is the third time the medical practice has held forums, aimed at building a dialogue between the practice and its patients.  Presented by Drs Andrew Eynon Lewis and Adam Morris, more than 50 patients attended the forums, held at Dartmouth’s Guildhall on Monday July 9 and Dittisham Village Hall on July 12.

This time the forums looked at a series of ‘Hot Topics’ including prescriptions, referrals to specialists and asked for the views of the patients on what qualities the practice should look for in its new partner, who will be chosen in the next month.

Patients said they want a Doctor who is a good communicator, has empathy for their patients, has a wide ranging experience and someone who is dedicated to being part of the Dartmouth and district community.

Dr Eynon Lewis said he was pleased with the engagement the new partner debate brought about.

“It’s very important that we consider patients’ ideas when we interview our potential partners,” he said. “We can now begin our selection process with a strong idea of the patients’ desires and can marry them to the qualities we are looking for and find the best possible candidate.”

The forums also featured presentations from Tracey Cunningham, matron of Dartmouth Hospital and Tom McEwan, lead for the Dartmouth and District Nursing team about how they work and how they work with Dartmouth Medical Practice.

As in previous forums there was also a chance to ask questions and there were some interesting debates and discussions between the Drs and patients, concentrating on the best appointment system for the surgery, opening times and how patients should be dealt with by receptionists.

The debates were interesting, wide ranging and challenging, a fact welcomed by Dr Morris.

“We are delighted people ask us difficult questions,” he said. “We need to see how the practice is viewed and understand how people want us to perform. These forums are designed to allow us to take on the feedback we receive and hopefully improve the quality of our service to the patients we serve. They are absolutely invaluable and we are so grateful to everyone who came along and got involved. We look forward to the next forums in early 2013.”

Latest Dartmouth Medical Practice Forums Outline Hospital Connections and Details of Community Nursing

Dartmouth Medical Practice’s latest public forums will outline how the practice works with the town’s hospital and helps to organize district nurses.

The forums will be held at Dartmouth’s Guildhall on Monday July 9 and Dittisham Village Hall on Thursday July 12.

The medical practice is visiting different villages in its catchment to try an increase participation in the forums.

The forums are unique to Dartmouth Medical Practice – they are held every six months to allow the community to learn about the services the practice provides and to ask partners at the practice questions.

Previous forums have looked at the Practice’s structure and how it works with community organisations. As a direct result of the forums the Patient Participation Group  – a volunteer group that advises the practice on its services – was reformed and has helped to bring in a new appointments system and Saturday opening.

Practice partner Andrew Eynon Lewis said the forums had become an important tool for communicating with the practice’s patients.

“We are pleased that they have been well supported,” he said. “They have helped us to understand what our patients expect and need and also managed to communicate the breadth of services we offer. We are pleased to be going to Dittisham and look forward to engaging with the community there.

“This forum will focus on two issues of importance to our community; Dartmouth hospital, it’s role and what we can expect from it, and nursing in the community, what it offers and future developments.”

Dr Adam Morris, partner at the practice said: “The forums are a vital part of our communication strategy with our patients and have been extremely positive and useful. We think that the forums will bring more insights into the needs of our patients and hopefully increase understanding of the services we coordinate with local hospitals and the way we work well with nursing teams in the area.”