The surgery co-operates with a group of local volunteers to provide a transport service for patients who are unable to drive and who have no other means of getting to their medically-related appointments (that means not only visits to us here at the surgery but also for hospital appointments and visits to other health professionals like dentists, physiotherapists etc).
This service is provided by Puddletown NeighbourCar.
Before you can use their services you have to join their scheme (for which there is a £10 joining fee to help meet their admin costs and the cost of insuring their drivers). Our reception team here at the surgery can supply you with an application to join if you qualify for such lifts.
This service is not only greatly appreciated by our patients but it is an enormous help to our doctors and to the rest of the clinical staff here at the surgery.
Volunteering
It is an entirely volunteer-based service and it operates on weekdays only. If you are able to spare some time on a regular basis between Monday and Friday and have a car, NeighbourCar's driver co-ordinator, Francis Copeman, will be delighted to hear from you. You can reach him on 01305 848499. You will not be overloaded with requests: never more than one lift a week on average. The cost of your fuel will be met and you will be fully insured.
NeighbourCar's organisers will also welcome anyone with a couple of hours to spare to act as a co-ordinator, matching requests for lifts with suitable volunteer drivers. If you'd like to help, contact the scheme's secretary Theresa Gill Email: theresamgill@icloud.com