Dear Friend,
Thank you very much for offering to join the new ‘Friends of Thirsk Doctors’ Surgery’ Volunteer Panel. We wanted to share our vision and to introduce you to some of the forthcoming projects which you may feel able to support.
We hope that the ‘Friends of Thirsk Doctors’ Surgery’ will help us to deliver accessible and effective care and support us planning improvements. There are currently three projects you may feel able to help with in 2023.
- Drive-Thru Flu Vaccination.
Prior to the Covid Pandemic, we held some flu vaccination clinics at Thirsk Auction Mart. Feedback from patients and staff was fantastic. The drive-thru model proved to be time effective and there was a good uptake. We have booked the Auction Mart on the mornings of Saturday 16th September and Saturday 30th September 2023. We have yet to formalise timings and a clinic structure, but would be interested in hearing from anyone who would be available to Marshall or who feels they could help with data input into patient records. IT and confidentiality training would be provided prior to the day.
- Delivery of Dispensary Medications- Volunteer Driver
The surgery currently delivers medications to approximately 53 Dispensing patients. These patients are often frail and housebound. In the past we have charged £55 ( comparable rate to High Street Pharmacies) for unlimited deliveries to cover the driver fuel costs. Unlike High Street Pharmacies, we have been informed that we are no longer able to charge for this service.
We are therefore working in conjunction with Thirsk Community Works to create a panel of volunteer drivers. Fuel costs would be reimbursed and training given. We are hoping to recruit a panel of volunteer drivers who would work together to deliver medications 2 days per week. Even if you were only able to commit to a few days or weeks of a year we would be keen to hear from you.
- Redecoration
Thirsk Health Centre is owned by NHS Properties and the property maintenance is not ideal. If anybody has any decorating experience, the internal doors and corridors do ideally need some TLC. We would be able to cover the cost of paint, materials etc.
If you feel able to help with any project please phone the surgery and leave details or email [email protected]
Expression of interest does not mean that you are committed to support us. In the coming weeks we will then get in touch with you to formalise a plan.
We are very happy to receive suggestions for other projects that the Volunteer Panel can help with.
Best Wishes,
Dr Laura Longstaff
On behalf of Thirsk Doctors’ Surgery