Details of the next Public Forum meeting:

Date: Wednesday 13 June 2012 Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Venue: Curl Aberdeen, Eday Walk, Aberdeen, AB15 6LN (downstairs)

A map of the venue is shown on the back page of the newsletter. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Topic: NHS Grampian ‘Question Time’ Members of the NHS Grampian Senior Management Team will be taking your questions

– submit a question in advance, or ask a question on the night, and be part of the audience to take part in discussions.

Bring a Friend! As part of our recruitment drive, we would like to encourage our Forum members to bring a friend or family member along to our next meeting. For catering purposes, it would be helpful if you could let us know if you will be bring a friend along to the meeting, but they don’t have to be a member to attend!

Public Involvement Recruitment Drive – get involved & tell your friends!

The Public Involvement Team will be carrying out a recruitment drive to raise awareness of opportunities to get involved and to identify new public representatives over the next few months. Why not tell your friends and family members how they can get involved with the work of NHS Grampian, and encourage them to join the Public Forum? Tell them what they could influence by getting involved:

The design of local health buildings. The development of services in community settings. Patient safety and hand hygiene in hospitals. Improvements to services such as maternity, diabetes and cancer. NHS policies and strategies.

Tell them what some of the benefits of being involved are:

Making a difference. Keeping up-to-date with local health issues, opportunities and information. Meeting new people. Training opportunities.

If you know someone that might be interested in getting involved encourage them to contact the Public Involvement team at NHS Grampian on 01224 558098 or on nhsg.involve@nhs.net.

NHS Grampian Public Forum Newsletter May 2012

Involvement Opportunities

Air Ambulance

The Scottish Ambulance Service has conducted a number of community engagement meetings relating to the re-procurement of its Air Ambulance Service. We are now looking for Forum members who would be interested in taking part in a discussion group to discuss the outcome of this process. This will involve a presentation detailing the outcome of the Air Ambulance re-procurement project, who the contract award has been made to and the benefits of the service to the community. The session will run in the hour before the August Public Forum meeting.

If you would be interested in taking part, and would be able to come along on the day of the August Public Forum meeting (29 August 2012) at approximately 12:30, please let us know by emailing nhsg.involve@nhs.net or calling 01224 558098.

SIGN Guideline on Chronic Pain

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) develops evidence based clinical practice guidelines for NHSScotland.

It is estimated that approximately 18% of the population will be affected by moderate to severe pain at some point in their life. This has a considerable impact on quality of life, resulting in suffering and disability for patients.

SIGN has developed a guideline providing recommendations on chronic pain and are holding a national open meeting to discuss the guideline on Wednesday 12 December 2012. If you are interested in attending this event, or would like to find out more, please contact Lesley Forsyth by email at lesley.forsyth@nhs.net or call 0131 623 4728.

Further information about the open meeting will be sent to Forum members in due course.

One year on … car parking on the Foresterhill site

The Public Forum meeting in May 2011 focussed on proposals to change parking arrangements on the Foresterhill site. Since then, work has continued to implement the proposals in order to improve parking for patients and visitors.

Changes will include: barrier systems at all entrances designated parking areas for patients, visitors, staff and disabled badge holders new permit system for Foresterhill Health Campus staff.

The new arrangements will apply from 07:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and are expected to be in place from July 2012. Those accessing the site out with these times will be able to park in any clearly marked appropriate parking space on the main site and in the general visitors parking area.

Work has started on site. Car parks remain open but if you are visiting the site in the coming weeks you may have to use alternative entrance and exit points. We appreciate this may cause some inconvenience and are grateful for your patience and cooperation.

A public information leaflet will be available in the coming weeks which will detail the different arrangements for different groups e.g. outpatients, visitors, disabled blue badge holders and staff, as well as details of alternative transport options.

NHS Grampian Public Forum Newsletter May 2012

NHS Grampian healthpoint

NHS Grampian healthpoint is a one-stop health information point, offering free confidential information, advice and access to reputable services in a friendly, welcoming environment.

What’s on at your local healthpoint?

National Smile Month

20 May – 20 June 2012 Between the 20th May and 20th June 2012, visit your local healthpoint where there will be trained advisors on hand to offer free, confidential information and advice to all members of staff and the general public on oral health. National Smile Month 2012 is all about having fun and getting people excited about their oral health. There are not many facial expressions as powerful as a smile and by looking after our teeth we can feel great and be more confident, which can lead to success and happiness. Some reasons why you should keep up good oral health: A healthy mouth means a healthy body A healthy mouth means a healthy smile and we all feel more confident with a beaming smile You are less likely to have bad breath The better your oral health now, the less treatment you will need when you are older. To make a positive step towards better oral health, visit your local healthpoint where you will be able to get tips, advice and information on creating a healthier, happier mouth. For more information on any of the above call the free healthline 0500 20 20 30, text the word ‘INFO’ to 82727, e-mail healthpoint@nhs.net or drop into one of the healthpoints in Aberdeen Indoor Market, the Concourse at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, the Hot Spot in Peterhead, 58A High Street, Fraserburgh or Dr Gray’s in Elgin.

Aberdeen Golden Games

People in Aberdeen over the age of 65 are being invited to take part in the Golden Games.

A free programme of events will be taking place on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th June.

Events include: Zumba Tennis Pilates Golf Angling Team pentathlon

To find out more about how you could take part please contact Beverley Johnson on 01224 523135 or e-mail bjohnson@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

NHS Grampian Public Forum Newsletter May 2012

Current Consultations – have your say Integration of Adult Health and Social Care Consultation The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the integration of adult health and social care. The consultation sets out proposals to inform and change the way that the NHS and Local Authorities work together and in partnership with the third and independent sectors. The proposals include changes to how adult health and social care services are planned and delivered, aiming towards a seamless experience from the perspective of the patient, service user or carer. The consultation paper and information on how you can give your views is available online at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2012/05/6469. If you would like a hard copy of the information please contact Prashamsha Bhattarai on 01224 558098 or e-mail nhsg.involve@nhs.net. The consultation ends on Tuesday 31 July 2012. Safe, Effective and Person Centred Care for People with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 diabetes mellitus affects over 28,000 people in Scotland, and more than 3,000 people in Grampian. Following work to consider the evidence of outcomes for people with type 1 diabetes, the Grampian Diabetes Managed Clinical Network has produced a consultation document to provide a snapshot of outcomes and the goals to improve these outcomes. More information is available on the ‘current consultations’ section of our website – www.nhsgrampian.org/involvingyou - or you can request a hard copy of the consultation document and feedback form by contacting Robert O’Donnell on 01224 555393 or at grampian.diabetes@nhs.net. The consultation ends on Friday 15 June 2012. Scottish Breast Screening Programme Consultation A review of the breast screening service in Scotland is currently being carried out by National Services Division (which is part of National Services Scotland). Different options for delivering the service have been considered by the Breast Screening Review Group, and the group are now seeking views on the preferred option. More information about the consultation is available at www.nsd.scot.nhs.uk/services/screening/breastscreening/breastreview.html. If you would like a copy of the consultation document, please contact Prashamsha Bhattarai on 01224 558098 or e-mail nhsg.involve@nhs.net. The consultation ends on Monday 11 June 2012. Consultation on Charter of Patients Rights and Responsibilities The Scottish Government has launched a consultation to gather views on the draft Charter of Patients Rights and Responsibilities. The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 aims to improve peoples’ experiences of using health services and enable them to become more involved in their health and decisions about their healthcare. The draft Charter and information about how to give your views is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2012/04/6273/downloads. If you would like a printed copy of the Charter and response form, please contact Prashamsha Bhattarai on 01224 558098 or e-mail nhsg.involve@nhs.net. The consultation ends on Saturday 30 June 2012.

NHS Grampian Public Forum Newsletter May 2012

Beach Leisure Centre Beach Leisure Centre Technogym Easyline Technogym Easyline

Here for 4 weeks

Free of charge

of charge

      

Aimed at people Over 65, great way of getting fit or maintaining fitness, specially designed for complete beginners.

Aimed at people Over 65, great way of getting fit or maintaining fitness, specially designed for complete beginners.

The equipment will be available to use from the 15th May, for four weeks at the Beach

Leisure Centre, Aberdeen, at the following times: The equipment will be available to use from the 15th May, for four weeks at the Beach

Leisure Centre, Aberdeen, at the following times: Monday & Tuesday from 0900 – 1700, Wednesday to Friday 0900 – 1300 Monday & Tuesday from 0900 – 1700, Wednesday to Friday 0900 – 1300

and at the weekends from 1000 – 1500. and at the weekends from 1000 – 1500.

Book an induction at reception on 01224 655403 to use the equipment during these times or book a Circuit Class from 16th May.

Book an induction at reception on 01224 655403 to use the equipment during these times or book a Circuit Class from 16th May.

Class times: Monday 13:00 – 14:00 Class times: Monday 13:00 – 14:00 Wednesday 11:00 – 12:00 Wednesday 11:00 – 12:00 Friday 12:30 – 13:30 Friday 12:30 – 13:30

The Technogym Equipment will be at the Beach Leisure Centre until the 17th June. The Technogym Equipment will be at the Beach Leisure Centre until the 17th June.

MEETING DATES

Dates of the Public Forum meetings for 2012: Wednesday 13 June, 6.30-8.30pm Wednesday 29 August, 1.30-3.30pm Saturday 27 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

All meetings will be held at Curl Aberdeen, Eday Walk, Summerhill, Aberdeen.

Dates of the NHS Grampian Board Meetings for 2012:

Tuesday 12 June Tuesday 7 August Tuesday 2 October Tuesday 4 December

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US!

To contact the PFPI Team please: send an e-mail to nhsg.involve@nhs.net

write to us at Room 15, Ground Floor, Ashgrove House, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZA

call us on 01224 558098

If you wish to discuss or provide feedback on any aspect of NHS services, please contact the Feedback Team on 0845 337 6338.

Website: www.nhsgrampian.org

Curl Aberdeen, Eday Walk, Aberdeen, AB15 6LN

NHS Grampian Public Forum Meeting Report

NHS Grampian ‘Question Time’ 13 June 2012

A meeting of the NHS Grampian Public Forum was held on Wednesday 13 June 2012 at Curl Aberdeen. The topic for the meeting was NHS Grampian ‘Question Time’. Forum members had been given the opportunity to submit questions in advance for the panel, or to ask their question on the night. The meeting was chaired by Laura Gray, Director of Corporate Communications. The panel members were:

Richard Carey, Chief Executive, NHS Grampian Elinor Smith, Director of Nursing and Quality, NHS Grampian

Additional panel members were unable to attend, and submitted their apologies, due to last minute unforeseen circumstances. Before the question and answer session, Laura Gray welcomed all to the meeting, with special welcome to those attending the Forum for the first time. Forum members had been encouraged to bring a friend along and the meeting had been advertised in the press. Question and Answer session Question 1 What efforts are being made to ensure that front line staff are protected from deficit cuts to budgets and ward and beds are maintained? Answer

This is an important issue for everyone at the current time. It is not possible during time of economic crisis to maintain all services in the same way. The reduction of 2-3% of the overall NHS Grampian £900 million budget is manageable, and we have looked closely at areas where savings can be made e.g. procurement process (changes have already resulted in savings); reduction in staff (including Government target to reduce senior management by 25%); managers have been asked to look at their budget and staffing levels and to identify what could be done with less money. The ‘Safe Affordable Workforce’ (SAW) scheme has enabled managers to look critically and carefully at what is required in their department to provide a safe and efficient service.

It would be untrue to say that services are not under greater pressure. We face a number of challenges including an aging population and a 5 to 8% increase in the drugs bill each year. This, along with the current financial situation, means that we will be working in a challenging environment for some years to come.

NHS Grampian has a responsibility to ‘balance the books’ in an efficient way whilst ensuring that services are safe. There can be a perception from people that are or have been in hospital that nursing staff are overworked. Nurses, along with other frontline staff, are very important and will ensure that we maintain the right level of nursing resource.

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The SAW process did look at these issues. We cannot exclude groups of staff from this process – nurses make up over 50% of the workforce in NHS Grampian.

There have been some changes for nursing staff, including the move to 12 hour shifts. This has enabled wards to be covered at less expense and some staff prefer these shifts as it gives an extra ‘day off’. We have had to make these changes and manage as best we can.

I am pleased to hear that nurses are highly regarded. There are a number of

national programmes including ‘Releasing Time to Care’ which are helping nurses to work more efficiently. Also considering the skill mix of staff e.g. Maternity Care Assistants who are trained to support women with breastfeeding which allows midwives to focus on other duties.

Question 2 With regards to the targets set by the Government, how fair are these for NHS Grampian when it could be said that the North East is treated unfairly when allocation of funding takes place? Understand that NHS Grampian has to work within budgets, but how much can the fairness of budget allocation be challenged? Answer

The allocation of funding to NHS Boards in Scotland is based on a formula which considers the size of the population, inequalities, rurality etc. NHS Grampian has historically had a reduced allocation compared with other areas, but this is being addressed through the NRAC (National Resource Allocation Formula) work. The Government has been more receptive to looking again at the allocation process and we will receive ‘compensation’ in the next financial year to close the gap but it will take many years to build up to what we are entitled to in Grampian.

Question 3 Is there any reason for audiology and chiropody not included in meeting programmes for discussion? Answer

This is a good suggestion, and is definitely a topic for future discussion. We could consider a meeting to discuss a group of services – podiatry, audiology, physiotherapy etc.

These services are examples of Allied Health Professional (AHP) services. In

the past, these services have tended to work in small groups, but are now grouped together with one Associate Director in Grampian.

We will discuss with local AHP staff and consider this as a topic for a future

meeting. Question 4 What is the evidence that hands of visitors to hospital increase the risk to patients of acquiring harmful infections? And if there is evidence, why is hand gel not advertised at every opportunity? For example, the message could be shown on letters sent to

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patients who are to be admitted to hospital advising their visitors, on an electronic screen at the entrance to hospitals, at the door of every ward such that it cannot be missed by visitors arriving. My family’s experience of the Intensive Care Unit at ARI and of Ward 9 at Woodend Hospital was that visitors are not using the gel. Also, who is responsible for replenishing hand gel when they are empty? Answer

From personal experience (Richard Carey), I have witnessed in a hospital (out with NHS Grampian) visitors not using hand gel, and have also witnessed people just carrying on with their business when they realise that the gel is empty. I think that we could definitely consider how volunteers could help in this area, perhaps identifying issues with dispensers etc.

Comment - Notices to use the hand gel have to be right in front of you, not in the ward or written on a white board where no one will be looking.

There was a push after the first HEI inspection of ARI with new posters, leaflets and information about who was on charge of each of the wards but perhaps we need to have to look at this again and refresh what we do. The ‘Stop Gel Go’ campaign ran on screens but we can get complacent.

Visitors are an important group to target with information – there is information

about how to be a good visitor online and in the admission booklet – but visitors are only one ‘risk group’.

We have been working on the role of the senior charge nurse, giving them the

confidence and skills required to take control of the ward and be assertive about the expectations.

Staffing doesn’t allow us to have someone on the ward door at all times to

remind people to use the gel, but we could consider this being a role for volunteers. .

There is an NHS Grampian Infection Control Public Involvement group which

deals with these issues, and there are public representatives involved in carrying out hand hygiene audits around staff compliance.

Comment - Example of gel being outside the wards in Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) – have to buzz to enter the ward so people are more likely to gel at the same time. Comment - Can sometimes be down to education of the public – sometimes people don’t think and nurses don’t often have time to explain the reasons why important, so can be seen to just be telling people what to do. If nurses could explain the reasons why rather than just saying “you should” people might understand and think about it more rather than just being ignored. Comment - Gel should be next to patients at the bedside. Also suggestion to have gel next to lifts, all entrances and exits and on buses.

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Infection rates in Grampian are very low. Today we attended the ‘Champions Challenged’ event. One of the purposes is education and encouraging the practice of infection control.

Comment - If you are examined by a GP, they will wear gloves and wash their hands. I think that patients should be offered gel too – it is important that primary care is included. Patients should be encouraged to say to anyone to wash / gel their hands. Should also consider what other alternatives there are to alcohol gel – some people suffer side effects from using the gel. Question 5 Having been involved in the review of Learning Disability nurses across the UK, I would like to ask how can we increase support across Grampian? The Learning Disability Liaison Nurse in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary does a fantastic job and her support is greatly appreciated but she is just one person who works in one location from 9am to 5pm. The review has identified how important this role is. Answer

This report has just been published - it is great to see this role being recognised and is one of the areas we need to look at in more detail. We also have elderly/cognitive impairment liaison nurses, and we could look at the possibility of combining these roles.

There has been a growing trend for people to be ‘specialists’ in specific areas,

but this is challenging as it is difficult for all services to be delivered by specialists. Therefore, it is important for specialists to inform and educate other staff so that they can understand issues and know how to deal with certain circumstances.

Comment - From my personal experience, where there were no staff available to deal with my relative’s personal circumstances and needs for three days whilst in hospital (because there is only one person ‘trained’ and it was the weekend) this is an invaluable role and should be available at all times. Cannot criticise staff who tried to help but they had no real direct experience of dealing with the particular and specific needs. Highlights how important this is and how different the experience is for the patient if this support is available when required. Question 6 With the go-ahead for the Elsick development in Aberdeenshire, which will create housing for 10,000 people, what will be done to address the additional pressure and impact on Kincardine Community Hospital in Stonehaven? Answer

Facilities, such as community hospitals in Grampian, are sometimes not in the right place, often because they were built many years ago and the areas around them have changed and other areas have grown. The new Elsick development is a significant challenge for NHS Grampian, not just for the community hospital, but also for primary care and other services. Work around the NHS Grampian 2020 vision and the Health and Care Framework will identify possible solutions e.g. it is projected that there will be an increase in the population in the Inverurie area in the coming years – there is currently work

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being undertaken to look at how best to provide services for the population in the future. A similar exercise will be carried out in the Kincardine area, but any plans will be dependant on the funding available, which is likely to be minimal.

Question 7 Is the new shuttle bus service suitable for disabled people or people who need assistance for walking e.g. zimmer frame? Answer

Not all the current buses are suitable, although they generally have rear doors suitable for wheelchair access. However, this is a pilot and we are looking for feedback from staff and public. There is no reason why we couldn’t look at this being available. We will also look at times and frequency following feedback received during the pilot.

Comment - Will this not encourage more people to use the parking areas as ‘park and ride’ and use the shuttle bus to get into town etc.?

We want to provide as many options as we can and ensure that those who need to bring cars to the hospital sites are able to do so and to park close to where they need to be. We might find that after we implement the parking arrangements on the Foresterhill site that we have to look at arrangements on other sites.

Question 8 Is it possible for there to be some volunteer guides operating in the long main corridor in A.R.I? Although things are signposted, many people do struggle to find various departments and all of the signs are confusing. They could were sashes to be easily identified and guide people to where they wish to be. Answer

We do have ‘meeters and greeters’ in ARI and the Children’s Hospital at evening and weekend visiting times to help visitors and give directions. We could consider other areas where people could be positioned to help.

The current wayfinding project is working to divide the hospital into zones which

should make it easier for people to find their way around the site. When you receive your appointment letter you will be directed to a specific zone. We are also working in partnership with the WRVS to enhance the role around volunteering and working with staff.

We recognise that it is likely to get more difficult for people in the next few years

while services are reconfigured when the Emergency Care Centre (ECC) opens. The ECC will replace approximately 40% of the inpatient beds on the site but we still need to improve the 60% left. When wards move to the ECC, this will create turning space to close and upgrade other ward areas, which will allow us to address backlog maintenance issues. Without turning space it would be almost impossible to carry out any major maintenance work.

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There is a plan in place, but with a number of moves involved this could be another benefit of increasing the number of volunteers to help people – not just at the main entrances, but other entrances too.

Question 9 How much training in the needs of disabled people is currently being undertaken by NHS Grampian? Answer

We do undertake some but acknowledge we should do more. We have a Disability Discrimination Act Review Group who help to deliver Understanding Disability training – this is helpful for those staff who have attended but is only a small percentage of the workforce. It is not always possible for staff to attend a training session so we do have to thing of other ways.

Comment - Suggestion to consider online training. Question 10 When a GP refers a patient to a Consultant, some departments acknowledge that they are ‘in the system’ but others don’t provide any information – shouldn’t everyone at least receive an acknowledgement? Answer

We are working to roll out patient focused booking – this will ensure that patients are able to make an appointment that is at a convenient time for them, which means that they are more likely to attend. This isn’t being used in all clinics yet, but feedback from areas where it is in place has shown that the number of people not attending appointments has reduced.

We are keen to make administration more efficient and also identify how we

can use technology. For example, there are now ways in which patients can have a consultation with their Consultant from their local GP practice.

Comment - The NHS could learn something from the oil industry, where investments have been made in technology to bring offshore onshore. This has reduced the need for people to go offshore, saving time and money, and is being rolled out because of its success. It could be simpler than first thought to get this technology in place.

We are using telehealth in some areas e.g. A&E Consultants linking to the islands or to ships and a great deal of the development work has taken place in Aberdeen because of the local industry.

Question 11 Can women patients request to have our personal care given by female members of staff? I think we should be asked this question in our admission and our response written in our notes so we don’t have the embarrassment of stating this lots of times during our stay in hospital. Answer

Patients can express their preferences and we strive to ensure these are met, but there are circumstances where this cannot be guaranteed. We will take into

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consideration personal requirements and religious beliefs. We have produced a publication called ‘Religions and Cultures’, in conjunction with faith groups across Grampian, and 3,500 copies have been distributed to date. This is available for staff to make them aware of beliefs and requirements.

We strive to deliver person-centred care and be as sensitive as possible to

personal circumstances, but have to bear in mind that if, for example, all male patients wanted to be cared for by male members of staff this would be a huge issue, given the vast majority of nursing staff are female.

Question 12 Example of friend who got acknowledgement of an appointment two days after the appointment was supposed to take place – not patient’s fault, what should they do? Answer

We can only apologise that this happened. This could have been a problem with the administration system, or with the post. We need to look at how we communicate with people.

Comment - In the past we had telephone reminders but this hasn’t happened recently. This was seen to be helpful.

Possibly now fewer reminders are required as waiting lists are much shorter, so there is less time between being advised of your appointment date/time and the appointment itself. However if people find these reminders helpful we will feed this back.

It is now also possible to send automatic text messages to remind people about

appointments. Comment - Should consider a phone call, or e-mail, especially for blind or visually impaired people living alone. Question 13 What is the current public involvement within primary care? Answer

There has been work ongoing with local GP practices in Banchory and Inverurie as part of NHS Grampian’s Health and Care Framework.

Alistair Ritchie, who is a member of the Aberdeen Community Health

Partnership Primary Care Public Reference Group, told the Forum about work that has been taking place within the City and commended the approach of having a reference group established from the start. A number of discussions have taken place with GPs on how to redesign – public representatives have been involved in this work and in making suggestions for the way forward. The GP practices in the City have now been grouped into clusters, allowing the practices to share specialties within a geographical area. Each cluster has a lead GP.

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We are also working with practices who wish to set up or improve their Patient Participation Groups (PPGs). Christopher Third, from the Scottish Health Council (SHC), informed the group about the PPG Development Tool which is currently being developed, encouraging PPGs to look at how they can improve the functioning of the group etc. The SHC are also looking to develop a PPG start up guide.

Question 14 Has NHS Grampian considered running a vitamin D supplementation programme? There is evidence that indicates that almost everyone living in the North-East of Scotland is deficient in vitamin D, and if people were to take part in a supplementation programme we would see the results immediately – it would help to improve a number of conditions e.g. depression, asthma, multiple sclerosis and NHS Grampian could be ‘ahead of the game’. Answer

This is a topical, live issue within NHS Scotland. We will undertake to find out more and hold discussions with NHS Grampian’s Director of Public Health. People can be resistant to ‘mass medication’, and there are issues to be considered, but there appears to be a strong evidence base.

Laura Gray thanked everyone for attending and for taking part in the discussions. Those who had submitted questions which were not discussed on the night will receive written responses.

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Meeting Evaluation Below is a summary of the feedback from the meeting evaluation. 1. Did you think the venue was suitable for our meeting today? Yes - 16 No – 0 Unsure - 0 Comments

Excellent Very good venue with comfortable seats and plenty parking. The use of the

microphone is ideal especially as I am hard of hearing. Very Good Easy access and ample parking. Reception and seating well organised. But a bit of a hike from bus services. Accessible It was much better than the huge ‘ware house’ upstairs.

2. Was the topic today of interest to you? Yes – 16 No – 0 Comments

A lot of good questions. A diverse range of question/ comments from the forum. Health and Hygiene is

obviously an area which generated a lot of comments. The health professionals (doctors, nurses etc) and the cleaning staff are the individuals who must ensure that all hygiene regulations are added to. Patients have a passive role, professionals and professionals have an active role.

Some more than others. A good few questions especially cross infection precautions. The topic is central to the group I attend. The opportunity for asking question

from the floor was invaluable. All very interesting. Some questions rather lengthy and complicated. Could have been more to the

point and easier to have answer. It was great that there was such a diverse range of questions. It was very

interesting and good to have interaction of such topical issues. Great to have the opportunity to hear other service user’s questions and ask my

own. 3. What do you think worked well today?

The Question and Answer – open forum, very well captured by Laura. Varied topics. Good answering, very interesting. The organisation of the meeting - meeting and greeting, microphone – enabling

all to hear, chair person, who organised speakers/questions /answers etc., bring a friend to the meeting (I did).

Use of microphones for all people – especially the people asking questions. The opportunities available to question. This engendered various experiences

with plenty of suggestions.

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All good, interesting and informative. A lot of important subjects and issues brought to be sorted and hopefully will be

solved. Pre submitted questions added a structure to the meeting. It felt a very proactive session in which members of the Forum and the panel

members co-operated. A good informative meeting. Everything Good variety of questions Having Richard and Elinor to ask questions and hear up to date information. Questions and answer, an excellent evening.

4. What could have been better?

Seat members in a house share formation, so we can see all speakers. The addition of other panel members prevented by other commitments. Speakers asking questions should stand up so voice is heard. Poor turn out – you did try and succeed in more public members. However

must find a way to involve wider range of public. It was excellent. Nothing

NHS Grampian PFPI Team June 2012