New patient group welcomes latest GP for Furnace and Inveraray

Mark worked with other members of the local community to take the initial steps needed to create the PPG.

 

At the first meeting on May 28, he gave a detailed presentation on how similar groups across the UK function, explaining that the goal of such organisations is to act as ‘a critical friend’ to the medical practice by helping it appreciate and understand what patients are thinking and are saying about issues.

 

The Inveraray and Furnace group’s creation before the new contractors are in place works well with the PPG model as it aims to influence the services that are provided and where they are provided.

 

Dr Coull told the Advertiser that the fledging PPG organisers were excited to hear that he intends to offer appointments in the Furnace surgery, which has been closed since 2019.

 

However, the GP stressed that the exact way in which the practice and the PPG will run once he is in charge is in no way set in stone.

 

His current practice in Strachur has been working with its PPG for 12 years on issues that are central to the local community there.

 

When asked if he envisaged something similar being set up in Inveraray and Furnace, Dr Coull replied: “I don’t know, and it’s right that I don’t know. The patients there have their own uniqueness, but I imagine the PPG will run along the same lines.”

 

He added: “We work very closely in Strachur with the PPG which won an NHS award for its work.

 

"Together we have been very successful in solving problems, for example, frailty and loneliness was identified as a big issue so the PPG set up a patient hub that meets once a week and provides activities like language-learning and tai-chi.

 

"About 40 people attend each week. The PPG has also found funding for talking therapies and a mental health counselling service.”

 

The Strachur PPG is familiar to many people in Inveraray and Furnace, but there is agreement with Dr Coull that the new PPG will not be an exact replica.

 

Furnace resident Lynda Syed told the Advertiser: “I don’t know whether we will be able to find the people and the energy to follow that model. It’s difficult to get younger people involved; they have more demands on their time with kids and jobs.

 

"It will be important for the PPG to work with parents and toddler groups and with school parents’ associations.”

 

Mark was, however, delighted with the numbers attending the first meeting in Furnace and said that everyone there seemed to be onboard with the idea of the PPG.

 

“There was no dissent at the meeting,” he explained. “You often find that the real challenge is to have people understand and support the PPG which is why we made a presentation outlining what PPGs are about.”

 

The presentation highlighted the fact that PPGs are open to every patient on the practice list, and they should strive to represent patient views and improve communication between patients and the practice.

 

In addition, the PPG will be tasked with communicating and working with the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Carte Partnership (HSCP) who awarded the GP contract.

 

The next meeting about the PPG will be held in the Nicol Hall in Inveraray on Tuesday July 9 with everyone interested in the future of the medical practice encouraged to attend.