THURSDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Forfar GP shares vision for new practice

Dr Nico Grunenberg shares patient feedback and the vision of how the new practice will meet the needs of the local population. The new practice will open later this year following a merger of Academy Medical Centre and Ravenswood Surgery in Forfar.

Speaking on behalf of both practices, Dr Grunenberg, GP at Ravenswood Surgery, said, “Firstly, we’d like to thank all those who have given feedback and taken part in the public survey that we launched to help us shape the services in new practice.

“Feedback so far has confirmed that what patients value most is access to a healthcare professional when they require it urgently and continuity of care, particularly when they have long term conditions or an ongoing acute illness.

“We hope to develop small teams within the new practice consisting of key healthcare staff, including GPs and nurses, which will allow patients to have a limited number of professionals involved in their care. This should provide suitable access as well as continuity of care to be delivered with a patient-centred focus.

“We would appreciate any thoughts patients have regarding any other professionals that could be included in these teams to improve care now or in the future.

“Our patients tell us that they want to manage their own health and we are keen to work with patients as active partners in their care and we hope the relationships formed in the small teams will support that to happen.”

Discussing access to services, Dr Grunenberg continued, “To support access to care, it would be our intention to alter the way in which patients access services in the practice.

“In future, when a patient calls the surgery, they will talk to one of their team to discuss their needs. In the event that a suitable person is not available to talk to the patient, a return call would be made within an agreed time period.

“This approach should allow us to manage some issues by phone, but more importantly, allows us to plan visits, allocate appropriate time for appointments and reduce unnecessary trips to the surgery. For example, if a patient is due a review of their long term conditions, a longer appointment may be arranged to allow any current problem and the review to be done at the same time.”

The new practice will replace the existing practices, and will be based on the site of Academy Medical Centre. The practices recently asked patients to suggest a name for the new surgery.

Maxine Jones, Project Manager, said, “We have received several name suggestions from our patients and there’s still time for more to be submitted. Members of the Patient Participation Group will consider all suggestions and prepare a short list which will be published in the Forfar Dispatch and Kirriemuir Herald early in March, with the public invited to vote for the winner in person or by emailing or writing to the surgeries.

“If you would like to suggest a name, please write to either of the practices, or send an email to forfarmerger.tayside@nhs.net, remembering to add your name and phone number. Please reply by Sunday, 22 February to ensure your suggestion is considered.”

There is still time to get involved in shaping the services for the new practice and if anyone registered with either of the practices has any comments or suggestions, please contact the practice manager of either practice or email forfarmerger.tayside@nhs.net.

Contact:

Gaynyr Dickson

NHS Tayside Communications

01382 740716