We are raising funds to buy a vehicle to get elderly and infirm patients to their appointments at the surgeries.

At present we have over a hundred members, who pay £5.00 per person annually, or £50.00 plus to become a Life Member.

We have an annual Summer Fete, and a stall at the Combined Charities Halloween Fair at The Pavilion. The Doctors do a Sponsored Walk each year and we have a Coffee Morning, quizzes, raffles and competitions. This year, for the second time, Mannings Funeral Directors have sponsored a concert given by the Maesteg Male Voice Choir, and we have received half of the proceeds. We are grateful to them for this generous donation.

We have recently received confirmation that our Constitution has been accepted to become a Registered Charity. Having Charitable Status will enable us to apply to Charitable Trusts for grants.

We have now reached £22,000 in our Fundraising. We were fortunate to have a Grant of £500 from the Co-operative Community Dividend Awards and we have had several donations given in memory of patients registered with our surgery.

Once we have purchased a vehicle, our Fundraising will still be an ongoing concern, as we will be responsible for the upkeep and running of it.

Why not come and join us?  New members and fresh ideas are always welcome.

Please ask at the surgery for information on how to become a “Friend of the Surgery” and you will then receive a regular newsletter informing you of the latest events.

FRIENDS OF THE SURGERY NEWS SPRING 2008

DEFIBRILATORS

As we have had another successful year of fundraising it was agreed at the September meeting that the Friends group should purchase two defibrillators for the practice. All clinical staff at the practice have had training, so the machines are available at both sites if the need should arise.

THE VEHICLE

After years of fund raising are very hard working friends group have reached there target and now have the long awaited vehicle.
If you or you know of someone who is registered at the practice who has difficulty in getting to the practice due to disability then please ask at reception for a form to register as a user. Initially we are operating on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings to the main surgery but we intend extending the service once the initial teething problems have been sorted.

Now we have the mini bus it is really important that the fund raising continues as we have to cover the costs of running the vehicle. Please come and support us at our fundraising events.

DRIVERS

Do you have a spare couple of hours a week, we badly need some relief drivers for the mini bus, the demand has really increased recently and our loyal team of drivers could really do with some help. If you think you would like to fill a few spare hours then please ask at reception.

QUIZ NIGHT

We will be holding another of our popular quiz nights on Thursday 12th June, come and join us. Ploughman’s suppers will also be available please book your place at reception.

TEA FOR TWO

The monthly coffee mornings are being changed to afternoon tea as from the 31st May. It will be the same format but will be from 2.00pm – 3.30pm at the main surgery.

AUTUMN FAIR

The annual fair will take place on Saturday 6th September. Hopefully weather permitting it will be in the garden at the main surgery.

OTHER NEWS

PRE BOOKABLE APPOINTMENTS

In response to requests from some of our working patients who need to pre book late afternoon appointments, we are now offering on a daily basis appointments which can be booked between 5.30 and 6.00pm.

Keep fit

Why not make a new years resolution to keep fit join our friendly group of patients on a Friday morning from 10.00- 11.00am at the Odd Down surgery for some gentle aerobic exercise. Every one welcome.

Prescriptions Online

The new facility of patients being able to order prescriptions online is going really well. If you haven’t already signed up, have a look now - it couldn’t be easier.

Patient self check in

To help alleviate the queues at the reception desk at busy times, we now have a patient self check in screen situated on the left hand side of the front door. Just put in your sex and date of birth and it will automatically book you in. (Not as pleasant as talking to our receptionists but please have a try).

STOP SMOKING ADVISOR

On the 1st of July smoking in enclosed public places is against the law, now is the time to give up. If you would like some help then why not make an appointment with our Stop smoking advisor Marion Simcox she is available to offer help and support. Just ask at reception for details.

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