Richard had a further update with Saffron Health Partnership, key members of the PPG (Patient Participation Group) and representatives from Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB), who have been working to support Saffron implement changes and improvements.
Following the meeting, Richard Fuller MP said:
I am always particularly interested in the feedback from the PPG as it is this group, through their regular surveys and other communications with patients, who generally seem to be most closely connected to the overall sense of how the practice is performing. I was encouraged that, although strongly caveated, the broad view of the PPG was that a corner had been turned and there was confidence that patients would start to experience a material improvement in service levels in the next few months. I appreciate that will sound like a long time to the many patients whose patience has been stretched to, and in some cases beyond breaking point. I’m afraid that my experience has taught me that real and effective changes take time, particularly within the NHS which isn’t renowned for its alacrity!
The key updates in addition to those that I have previously communicated are that the practice now has an extra GP and is in the process of recruiting another who hopefully will come on board in the next month or so depending on the speed of the recruitment process They also have a further GP expected to join the practice around the end of the year or very early in 2026. These additions to the clinical staff will significantly increase the number of appointments that the surgery can offer and as communicated after the last meeting, I am informed that approximately 50% of appointments are now pre-bookable in advance.
The phone system upgrades that remove the over-reliance on a single line for all enquiries are expected to be fully operational by the end of next month and this should help to alleviate some of the strain on the morning phone call lottery. This will be further helped by greater roll out of the ‘Klinik’ total triage system which is gradually being reintroduced after a problematic first launch which was closed down very quickly. Klinik is now operating for 5-6 hours per day and will be available for the full working day from October 1st. Evidence from practices across the country show that successful total triage systems have a significant impact on smoothing the demand for appointments, as well as ensuring that the most appropriate resource is allocated to each patient.
There is still a long way to go but I have been struck by the commitment and hard work from all parties to deliver the service that patients need and deserve and I expect that evidence of these improvements will become more visible as we move through the second half of the year. Please continue to keep me informed of your experiences.
