Pennard Community First Responders

Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2008 at the Community Centre

 

Present: Bill, Laurie, Gary, Betty, Fran, Allan, Linda, David, Jeremy (chair & minutes), Helen, Wendy

Apologies: Eliot

   
1 Minutes of previous meeting
These were accepted as a true record.
   
2 Matters arising
  5. The new incident report (or patient clinical record) is covered later.
  6. It was reported that there have been problems with Eliot's and Julie's CRB clearances which could mean that currently they are not eligible to attend calls. Jeremy to check with Dem. ACTION: Jeremy.
  8. As well as asking for PINS some controllers in Carmarthen occasionally ask for our mobile phone number, which must be on their database!
   
3 Financial position and upcoming purchases
  Copies of our account details were provided by Allan, showing a healthy balance of £2,119.19.
   
4 Calls since last meeting
  There have been 14 calls since our last meeting. All of these calls are on our website (providing they have been reported to Jeremy!). There were brief discussions about some of them, specific points raised were:
  • It's sometimes difficult to complete the PCR form while participating in a call
  • Bill was unable to contact Gary at home because of the weak Orange mobile phone signal
  • Qualified medical staff are required in Care Homes (e.g. Penmaen) but not in Residential Homes (e.g. Heatherslade). However these staff may not necessarily speak good English.
  • Betty and Linda seem to have a contract with the Heatherslade residential home!
   
5 PCR - Patient Clinical Record form
  Fran sought clarification about filling in the PCR form and the process was discussed. There are some fields that we cannot complete, i.e. CALL RECEIVED AT AMBULANCE CONTROL, AT HOSPITAL and HOSPITAL and the ENTONOX field. There are other fields where we need to contact ambulance control to get the details, i.e. AMBULANCE INCIDENT NUMBER and AMPDS CODE. All the other fields should be completed (if appropriate) if time and circumstances allow. If it's felt that additional comments should be made these should be squeezed into the bottom of the form.
   
6 Refresher training
  This has been arranged for Saturday 14 February 2009 in the small hall in the Community Centre. All Pennard responders to attend except David, who will attend the 20/01/09 course in the university, and Wendy, who will attend the 05/02/09 course in the university. The training will start at 10.00 am and finish at 5.00 pm. Those attending the Community Centre training will need to provide their our own lunch and Betty suggested that we could get food delivered. ACTION: Betty to investigate.
   
7 Practice sessions with manikin and training AED
  Jeremy brought along the 'Brad' manikin and Cardiac Science training AED to show the group.  It was agreed that from the new year we would hold meetings every 3 months approximately (on different days) and scenario training using the manikin, AED, BVM, etc, every 2 months approximately (on different days). The small hall will be booked in advance for the full year and the dates uploaded to our website. ACTION: Jeremy.
   
8 Election of new co-ordinator
  It was agreed that we need to confirm towards the end of each year whether (a) the incumbent co-ordinator wishes to carry on for another year and (b) if he/she does wish to continue that the members are happy for that to happen. From the new year the process will be:
  1. The incumbent will be asked if he/she wishes to continue for another year
  2. If NO then nominations will be invited for a successor and a vote taken
  3. If YES then membership will be consulted (by secret ballot) to see if they are happy for the incumbent to continue
  4. If the majority are happy for the incumbent to continue for another year then that will be agreed
  5. If the majority is not happy for the incumbent to continue for another year then nominations will be invited for a successor and a vote taken
   
  Nominations were invited for the post of co-ordinator for 2009. Only one name, Betty's, was received and seconded. Betty accepted the nomination and a vote was taken that unanimously endorsed the nomination. Betty will therefore be the co-ordinator for 2009.
   
  All present wished to thank Dem for his work as co-ordinator during 2008.
   
9 Any other business
 
  1. Jeremy confirmed that the golf club had been booked for the annual dinner on Tuesday 30 December, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm. There will be a 3 course meal (soup or prawn cocktail to start followed by a turkey and/or beef carvery with a selection of vegetables followed by a selection of deserts). Cost will be £15.00 per head (payable on the night). Wendy is the only member who has said she is unable to make it so places will be booked for everyone else. If anyone else is unable to make it they must contact Jeremy ASAP!
  2. The proposed SMS (text) alerting system was described by Jeremy and Betty. Two issues are worrying: (a) will we be able to hear the phone alert when the call comes in - especially at night - and (b) there are still areas where there is no Orange mobile phone signal and landlines are used for contact (i.e. the text alert will not work!). The latter problem may be solved if we change to a Vodafone mobile phone and Betty and Steve Roberts will be investigating this soon.
  3. Betty explained a scheme whereby volunteers in our area would be trained to provide Essential Life Support training to groups, schools, clubs, etc. A few members expressed an interest in taking part so Betty will investigate further. ACTION: Betty.
  4. A second Local Produce Market will be held in the hall on Sunday 16 November from 9.30 am to 12.30 am..
 
JGC 07/11/08