Friends of Bramblehaies Surgery

Many people visit a doctors’ surgery each day. They are diverse, coming from different villages or townships, or remote farms and holdings. All have one thing in common, they are purposeful; casual visitors are rare. Reasons for attendance are diverse too, some are worried, anxious or apprehensive, some feeling ill or in pain, some seeking advice and reassurance. However, they all have one need in common as they enter the door: they need to be greeted in a friendly, helpful manner and they need to find themselves in a building which is pleasant, warn and comfortable. Some time ago, in order to ensure that the atmosphere described was monitored and kept up to date, the “Friends of Bramblehaies Surgery” was formed to ensure that surgery services were meeting the needs of patients – and consider and put forward to the surgery staff suggestions and comments about areas which might be altered or improved. This is ongoing, and a book for comments is supplied in the surgery, patients may also pass comments to receptionists, or contact “Friends” directly. There is a “Friends” notice board in the surgery.

The “Friends” have, more recently begun to raise funds for equipment and services for the benefit of patients, and two or three events are held each year. Events have included a stall at Bridwell Park, and a Christmas Sale and Coffee Morning at Willand Village Hall. As we are a very small group we are always in need of helpers when events take place4. We display posters seeking help in the surgery, but, as paragraph one illustrates, those using the surgery often have other things on their minds than volunteering for anything! Happily, members of the general public do support our fund raising efforts which are advertised on posters in the town, but our requests for assistance seem to go unnoticed. May we ask that anyone who is thinking of coming to one of our events considers offering help? In particular, that those on the Bramblehaies Patients Register, who are fortunate enough to have little reason to attend the surgery, would think of volunteering? We should be very grateful for any help offered – please ring the surgery on 01884 33536 (after 10.30am please) and your name will be passed onto one of the “Friends” who will then contact you. With your permission names will be kept on a helpers’ list and you will be contacted, well in advance, when events are forthcoming asking if you will be able to assist.