We have patients who volunteer their time to do activities to help improve the practice and patient experience.
There are several roles that we require volunteers to help us with:-
Patient Health Champions – Hamworthy Surgery
This initiative currently started at our Hamworthy Surgery and we would like to roll this out across all 5 surgeries. We have patients who volunteer their time to do things to help improve the practice and patient experience. They have done activities like ‘Meet and Greet’ in reception. By gathering feedback from other patients, the information has been used to make some improvements to the Hamworthy practice. We have refurbished the seating area and installed an automatic door. Asked patients to complete a form of who their next of kin is. They help us marshal at Flu Clinics. Call lonely patients, some of which have lost loved ones and become recently bereaved. Help out at the Covid Vaccine clinics by making sure people know where to go. We look to the Champions to make suggestions and then discuss who would like to take part. They take part in a walk at Hamworthy Park, on a Tuesday morning. Everybody is welcome to join and they meet in the café afterwards to have a cuppa and chat.
We are looking for willing local people to gift their time as Patient Health Champions, working alongside the practice and our health professionals to reshape services, opening up new possibilities, working together to provide a range of innovative activities and support. In other words, a new way of seeing and doing things.
We look to the Champions to make suggestions and then discuss who would like to take part.
Patient Champions Feedback:
“It’s been lovely to talk to someone who’s been very lonely during the Pandemic – l’ve made a lifetime friend and hope I’ve made her life just a little bit easier.” – Susie
Expression of interest in becoming a Practice Health Champion
Volunteers for the Covid Vaccine Clinics
We very much rely on the volunteers to support at the Covid Vaccine Clinics. They help with the marshalling of patients and guide them in to receive their vaccination. They ensure we adhere to all the social distancing that is required, whilst patients are queuing and generally keeping everyone relaxed. The volunteers also help direct patients in the car park. The day is generally split into two sessions, with a morning session and afternoon session. The volunteer rota is arranged to cover these sessions. It is a friendly environment; we couldn’t run the Vaccine Clinics without their support. We get positive feedback about the volunteers and how helpful and friendly they all are.
Volunteers for the Best Foot Forward Leg Club
When the Leg Club first opened there were many patients of The Adam Practice with long term, hard to heal lower leg ulcers and related problems. Prior to attending the Leg Club, their only choice was to attend their local surgery for their treatment or be treated in their own homes by the District Nurse Team if they had mobility problems. This often lead to isolation and loneliness, leaving patients with a feeling of poor self-esteem and low mood.
With joint support from both the Leg Club Nursing and Volunteer teams, over time such members have been able to ‘reignite’ their self esteem, take control of their own care within the encouraging environment.
Our volunteers are the backbone of the Leg Club model, and we are continuously seeking new volunteers to support us. If you would like to become a volunteer, or find out more about what is involved, please get in touch.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer for The Adam Practice. Please contact our Community Co-ordinator Paula Best [email protected] or call 01202 339054.
