Patient Participation Group

Synopsis of the minutes of the meeting of the Upper Dales Health Watch

 held on 5^th February 2026

·         Proposed meeting for Carers – the Central Dales Practice is now thinking of having an Annual Practice Health Day, probably to take place in West Burton Village Hall in early July 2026.  Elizabeth Fawcett would be a key organiser of this event.  Anyone willing to help (putting out tables & chairs, making tea / coffee, welcoming visitors etc.) should email Elizabeth on elizabeth.fawcett1@nhs.net    putting Volunteer for Health Day as the subject.  Volunteers will get the standard reply saying their email will not be responded to, but Elizabeth will be keeping an eye out for these emails and will respond. 

·         The Practice is sending out a survey to 200 randomly selected patients. 

·         Jess’s Rule - information on this has now been received.  When a patient has been seen 3 times for the same issue, they must now be reviewed and refereed on to a specialist if that is appropriate.  Patients should not give up if symptoms continue.  If they don’t go back to the surgery, it will be assumed they are OK.

·         The uptake of ‘flu jabs has been good this year, and nearly all the vaccine has been used.

·         Central Dales Practice is going to be the national Systm1 pilot in England for Proscript. 

·         Staffing – Dr Lowe is leaving the at the end of March to further her career.  She has been replaced by Dr Kathryn Morton.  Dr Morton is from Southampton and is looking forward to working in a rural practice.   Dr Morton is in the process of changing her name to Dr Kathryn Carey-Jones.  This may initially cause some confusion.  She is working in Hawes Tuesday – Friday and Dr Pain is now looking after Aysgarth.  The search goes on for another GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP).

·         Social media – Lynn would welcome any feedback on the CDP’s Facebook page.  Any suggestions from those that use this communication method should be sent to Lynn.Irwin@nhs.net  Reference to Parish Reps was suggested.

Jane Ritchie

Hon. Secretary, The Upper Dales Health Watch

Synopsis of the minutes of the meeting of the Upper Dales Health Watch

held on Tuesday 15th September 2026

· The Little White Car project now has 2 vehicles and 9 volunteer drivers. Upper Wensleydale & Swaledale patients needing to use of the Little White Car to go to a medical appointment need to book in good time. Bookings are on a first come first served basis. Patients can take a carer / relative / friend with them if this is made clear when the booking is taken. There is a schedule of charges e.g. £40 for a return trip to James Cook. Costs can be reduced for those on benefits. For information contact the Upper Dales Community Partnership at www.hawescommunityoffice.co.uk

· The Goodlife Project now covers Swaledale. It is hoped that a Men’s Shed can be started in the Auction Mart at Hawes.

· The Sycamore Hall Step-up Step-down flat is being closed at the end of October due to NHS cuts in funding.

· Arrangements for the seasonal jabs (Flu, Covid, Shingles etc.) are in hand. Clinics will be run in all 3 surgeries from 1st October. Appointments can be made by phone, but patients are asked to phone in the afternoon.

· Staff:

Sharon Johnston is the Practice Nurse at Reeth. She is a trained prescriber.

Debbie Scott is one of the 3 GP Assistants (also known as Medical Secretaries)

Glen Ryder is providing admin support at Reeth and will be taking incoming phone calls Mon-Thur.

Chloë Hargreaves is the dispenser at Reeth.

· Reeth patients need to order mediation AT LEAST a week in advance. It is expected that in the not-too-distant future the main pharmaceutical suppliers will deliver direct to Reeth Health Centre which should improve the situation.

· Recruitment for a salaried GP is ongoing.

· Consideration for the Hawes & Aysgarth Surgery buildings to become Community Assets will be researched.

· Patients with minor, non-urgent illnesses can seek help from local pharmacies – they receive NHS funding for this.

· Crisis & Resilience Fund to operate 01.04.26 -31.03.29. Contact North Yorkshire Council for details.

· Warm Homes Local Grant see www. northyorks.gov.uk

Jane Ritchie, Hon. Secretary

March 2024 (46kb)

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