THREE priorities for the year ahead were identified by Launceston Medical Centre Patient Participation Group (PPG) at its annual meeting on Thursday, March 22.

They are to:

- Support the medical centre during preparations for/work on the extension

- Create a directory giving contacts for ‘social-prescribing’ activities

- Attract younger members, possibly with the theme of keeping healthy.

In anticipation of a busy year ahead, two extra officers and some new committee members were elected.

Andrew Yardley, practice manager, told the group: “We are already struggling for space, so before building work starts we shall have to look at how our day-to-day operations will be affected and how we communicate with patients.

“We will also be looking for patient input and ideas as we prepare to open the facilities, so we shall welcome support from the PPG.”

As a result of an increasing emphasis in the health service on ‘active signposting’ — informing people of activities outside the NHS that could benefit their conditions — the medical centre wanted to set up a directory of local groups and organisations that could help.

These would typically be exercise and social groups or organisations dedicated to supporting those with specific conditions/needs. It was agreed that this was a project that the PPG would undertake.

To tackle the third priority, it was agreed that the PPG should consider ways to engage with young people and encourage them to become more active in local health-related matters, possibly by engaging them in promoting ways to stay healthy.

Member Paul Ford, fresh from a meeting of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, assured the group: “Launceston Hospital is not closing. There have been rumours and postings on social media, but it is completely unfounded.”

Joan Heaton was elected as the new chair, with Les Whaley as a new vice-chair alongside existing vice-chair Steve Dymond. Jo Keogh was elected as deputy secretary with Patty Taylor remaining as secretary and publicity officer.

There was a vote of thanks to retiring chair Maureen Amy, who had led the group for the past three years. Mrs Heaton said: “It will be very hard to fill her shoes. She has been a very strong and capable chair.”

Thanks were also expressed to retiring vice-chair Pam Davey who also stepped down after three years.

The committee for 2018 comprises the officers and Paul Ford, Rosemary Bromwich, Cym Downing, Maureen Amy and Pam Davey.

Membership of the patient group is open to all patients, members of the medical centre staff, and representatives of patients’ groups; anyone interested in joining may leave their names and contact details at the medical centre reception.

The next meeting of the group will be at Launceston Medical Centre on May 2 at 6.15pm.

There is more information on the medical centre website under the ‘patient group’ tab or at http://launcestonmedicalcentre.co.uk/index.php/ppg