Ashwell Surgery Website

Ashwell Patient Group

About the Ashwell Patients' Group

Some years ago, the National Association of Patient Partnerships was founded to encourage and support groups of patients who wished to work more closely with their General Practioniners to enhance the services provided by local surgeries.

In 2007, Ashwell Surgery launched its own patient partnership group, now known as the Ashwell Patient Group, with committee members representing the various communities covered by the practice - Ashwell, Bassingbourn, Steeple and Guilden Morden, and Litlington. Dr Caroline Russell and our Practice Manager, Debra Stapleton, also sit on the committee representing the professionals.

The Patient Group has set itself three focus areas:

• Health Promotion;
• Improving patient transport arrangements;
• Better communications, possibly through a regular newsletter.

The Patient Group is very much in its infancy but, by working closely with professionals and patients, we hope to enhance the service for the greater benefit of all.

If you have any suggestions, especially about future Health Promotion events, please contact Peter Chapman, the Ashwell PGG Chairman on Ashwell 742977.

Health Promotion

We have held a number of health information sessions at the surgery on a range of topics, including:

• Glue Ear,
• Caring for the Elderly,
• Garden House Hospice,
• Diabetes.

We hope to put on more events in the future, dealing with a wide variety of medical issues and would be interested to hear suggestions. Details of forthcoming events will be posted on the website and advertised locally.

Transport

Ashwell and the Mordens are already covered by Royston and District Community Transport.

Patients in Bassingbourn and the Mordens can make use of the Heron Self-Help Scheme.

Both of these services can only function if there are volunteer drivers available. If you can help by driving patients to and from the surgery or hospital, please follow the links and give them a call.

Communication

We have yet to tackle the question of communication and that will be high on our agenda for the coming months. Watch this space.