Patients' group in discussion on centre

Letter: Each year the Shropshire County Primary Care Trust commissions a survey of patients' views on the service they receive from their local general practice.

Local practices have to prepare reports on how they intend to improve the areas where they are shown to be weak.

Recently the Market Drayton Patients' Participation Group discussed the results of the 2007/8 survey with representatives of the practice at the Primary Care Centre.

They congratulated the practice on the high scores given relating to satisfaction with doctors - their patience, explanation of medical conditions and care of patients.

Problems continue to exist, however, with access to any particular doctor, opening hours and access by telephone. Further steps are being taken to address these. The renewed focus on nurse-led clinics was welcomed as a way of easing pressure on the doctors.

The patients' group took the view that the continuing concerns were related to the fact that the practice has a list of 16,800 patients and 10 doctors, some of whom are part-time.

The future of the Market Drayton Primary Care Centre, as the hub of local primary care information and activity, is frustrated by the way that services are parceled up between the PCT and the practice. The MDPPG agreed to host a series of public talks on local services later in the year.

Jeff Hopkins & Frances Bevan

Market Drayton Patients' Participation Group