Dr Goodison also presented the latest Patient Survey Results for the practice to the AGM. Overall the results compare very favourably with the PCT and national averages, but Dr Goodison stressed that there was still room for improvement in some areas. The full survey results are available on the BHC website.

This year sees a number of changes in the Patient Support Group's officers. Sue Thomas stands down after three years as Chairman, during which time she made an enormous contribution in moving the group forward. She will thankfully remain a very active member of the group, but in a slightly different capacity. Ken Smith, Vice Chairman, and Jenny Atkins, Treasurer, have also stood down. At (a very young) 82, Ken feels it is perhaps time to slow down just a little, and Jenny will sadly be leaving us and moving to Kent. Both Jenny and Ken have been very active officers of the group since it was formed 13 years ago. The AGM expressed its sincere thanks to all three for their enormous contribution to the group and the patient community.

The AGM elected Malcolm Rudrum as the new Chairman and Sue Thomas as Vice Chairman and Treasurer.
Recently retired after 40 years in the IT industry, Malcolm joined the group in January of this year. He and his family have lived in Netley for 40 years. He told the AGM that, alongside all of the many other tasks the group performs, he saw the priorities for the coming year as: fully supporting the Practice in setting up the Patient Reference Group as an ongoing mechanism for surveying patient opinion; and continuing the successful formula of health awareness events, like the Back Pain evening.

Further details of the work of the Patient Support Group are on the BHC website www.blackthornhealthcentre.co.uk/ppg.shtml

Malcolm Rudrum, Chair BHCPSG
July 2011