Nene Valley Surgery PPG meeting held on 25th March 2026
At Hermitage House
Present: John Dawkins: Angela Gyves: Bethan Charles (BC): Anya Roberts: Jo Montandon: Karen Roberts: Susan Sorrell: Andy Willis: Gillian Heafield: Jane Malt: Reg Talbot: Carol Crotty: Sheila White (SW)
Apologies: Shelagh Galloway
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting
There were several queries raised about the new owners and GPs starting at Nene Valley from 1st April 2026
BC highlighted some of the Surgery Feedback from Jessica
It was agreed that a copy of the Surgery Update would be forwarded to all PPG members
· A copy of the Surgery update for this meeting has been circulated to all PPG members and a printed copy will be attached to these minutes
Minutes for the PPG meeting held on 28th January 2026 were approved after Gillian Heafield was added to the list of members present
1. Article for Thrapston Life. JD said that he felt it would be a good idea for the PPG to put an article in the Thrapston Life Magazine. He had made enquiries with the producers of the magazine and was told there would be no charge for a PPG article. JD then offered to write an article with support from the group.
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2. Thrapston Charter Fayre
· Plans for the PPG stall at the Fayre were discussed
· BC suggested that there should be a separate tombola/raffle for children and asked if PPG members could donate children’s books for prizes
· There would be a separate Tombola for adults and it was also suggested that the collection of prizes should start immediately but should not be delivered for labelling until nearer the date of the Fayre.
· The time members can erect and set up the stall needs to be checked
· SW suggested that the Surgery would be able to provide a table
· SW said she had Display Boards if needed
· BC said that volunteers would be needed to set up and man the stall on the day. This could be organised in time slots.
· A Gazebo would be needed. JM said that Denford have a Gazebo and she would make enquiries about availability for the event
3. Nene Valley Surgery PPG display Podium
· AR had kindly offered to approach Zephyr about this and was able to bring the Podium to the Meeting for members to see
· SW took a photograph to display on the PPG Notice Board
· AR was thanked for the time and effort given arranging this
· This Podium will be used at the Charter Fayre
· It was proposed that a letter of thanks would be sent to Zephyr
4. SW had confirmed with the Practice Manager that alternate PPG meetings would still be welcomed at the Surgery
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5. The Introduction of Neighbourhoods
· SW confirmed that Wellingborough area had been selected to introduce the Neighbourhood provision
· Groups of GPs are making a bid to provide services in their area. The East Northants Primary Care Network of Surgeries have been awarded the contract for East Northants and will be the second area to introduce this new way of working
· Each Neighbourhood will have a central Hub. In East Northants there will be three Hubs in Thrapston, Raunds and Rushden.
· GPs will provide these nearer to home services for people with long-term conditions and the elderly with the intention of keeping people out of hospital unless necessary
· PPG members enquired if these local services would include mental health and blood tests. SW will make enquiries to ascertain
6. The East Northants North Local Area Partnership
· The North Northants lead for this partnership informed that areas of poverty and isolation had been identified in Thrapston. She asked if LAP members could ask their local contacts if they knew anyone in either of these situations that they could ask what would be the best help for them to raise their problems
· PPG members said they were not personally aware of anybody but suggested NNC representatives might find answers to their questions by visiting the Primary School and the Community Library.
There being no further business the meeting was declared closed
The next PPG Meeting will be held at the Surgery on 20th May 2026 from 5.30 until, 6.30 pm