The Friends were formed about 15 years ago and our main aims are to help:
Those patients who, having a hospital appointment, do not qualify for hospital transport and do not have their own car
‘Less mobile’ who need help to get to and from the surgery
Collecting and/or delivering prescriptions
We also provide some equipment for the surgery which is not provided by the NHS or Regional Health Authority.
Each year we lose some of our helpers through various reasons – moving from the district, giving up driving, etc. – and it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract new members. Obviously, the more members we have on our list the fewer times anyone will be contacted. All requests for assistance only comes via the surgery to ensure that these are genuine. Petrol and parking costs can be claimed from the treasurer on an agreed scale.