Rhondda patients kept up to date on Big Screen

Patients are being kept up to date with essential information via big screens which have been installed in GP waiting rooms across Rhondda.

The screens carry health and lifestyle messages as well as calling patients for their appointments at the practices.
Local practice news and events will soon join the show reel of information which is being broadcast into surgeries.
Patients at the Cwm Gwyrdd Medical centre in Gilfach Goch were delighted when the latest screen replaced their tired text only calling system for appointments.

Members of the 10-strong Patient Participation Group (PPG) at the practice had even started fund-raising to try to upgrade their ageing system, which some described as a ‘pain in the neck’.

But thanks to new finance, available via the new Rhondda GP Cluster, they were able to direct the charity cash elsewhere.
Louise Duck, practice manager and PPG chair, said: “Patients were complaining about the previous calling system which they said was too high up for those with a bad neck. The previous system was also not audible meaning that patients with sensory impairment were disadvantaged. One of the suggestions the group came up with was fund-raising to get a new system in place. But when the new funding was made available for the screens we went for it straight away.”

The PPG is collaboration between the practice and patients, which aims to meet the needs of local people better.

Patient, retired teacher Gillian Edwards, said: “The screen is excellent. It means you aren’t staring up all the time and there is something to look at and be interested in.”

Sarah Bradley, primary care development manager at Cwm Taf University Health Board, said: “GPs are working together to strengthen the delivery of local health services through a new programme of work. This requires them to work together to identify, plan and deliver innovative ideas and solutions to address local priorities and challenges for their patients.”

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