Themes:
- GP surgery volunteers
- Volunteer patients
- Volunteer drivers
- Volunteer befrienders in the community
- Clinic volunteers
Background
In 1986 a General Practitioner at the Wooda Surgery recognised a need for a transport scheme for patients in a rural part of Devon. A pilot study was carried out and this highlighted patient need for this service. This led to the the Wouldcare Project which was funded through fundraising by volunteers. A volunteer co-ordinator was employed and received an honorarium from the local Primary Care Trust. The scheme became a registered charity in 1999 and continues although is now completely self-funded. Applications are made to a local charity for an annual grant and funds are also raised through the 100 Club – a lottery-type draw in which people pay £1 a month. Three-hundred and fifty people pay into this fund and 50% of the money is paid back in prizes.
The other major fundraiser is the annual Christmas raffle and bazaar which accounts for around £1000. Although there are ongoing coffee mornings to help raise cash, these only tend to generate around £100 each.
The transport scheme
Volunteers in the GP surgery supply transport for patients to and from the surgery to local hospitals in Bideford and Barnstaple. All patients must be registered at the Wooda Surgery to be eligible for the scheme. Patients are all ages, but are mainly infirm elderly people who do not have their own transport, do not have family members who are able to transport them, or are simply unable to negotiate public transport in such a rural area. The scheme is distinct from the hospital car service and patients are asked to make a donation where possible. However, a minimum of £10.00 is now requested for a return route from Bideford to Barnstable. Unlike the hospital service, attempts are made to match up people from similar geographical locations with similar appointment times. Unlike transportation by taxi, the driver will escort the patient to their appointment and wait for them. As patients are driven to the appointment on their own, or share the car with someone with a similar appointment time, they do not have to hang around the hospital waiting for other patients, which can happen with the hospital car service.
There are currently around 30 surgery volunteers in total, with 14 drivers in the transport scheme, all of whom receive a mileage allowance for using their own private cars. With the exception of one or two, all are also Wooda patients.
The befriending scheme
There is also a befriending scheme in place for hospital patients, housebound people, or for those who have not friends and family close by. Volunteers can sit with terminally ill patients to give their carers a break. They can also escort people to collect their pensions or go shopping with them.
Twice a year lonely patients are invited to the surgery and are provided tea and there are also annual coach outings. These trips are popular with older patients, for example groups of around 35 elderly patients are taken to the local garden centre.
The ‘flu clinic
Volunteers also help out over 2 full days at the annual ‘flu clinic. The surgery books as many over 65s as possible to attend for their ‘flu jab, and it is the responsibility of the clinic volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the clinic by driving infirm patients to the clinic, lining them up, ushering them and helping them on and off with their coats to enable the surgery’s nurses and GPs to see as many patients as possible. The doctors carrying out the injections have fedback to the volunteer co-ordinator that the clinics could not take place without the help of the volunteers.
Fundraising
Funds which volunteers raise do not just go towards the driving and befriending schemes. Extra equipment is also purchased from funds raised. District nurses have previously received money for mattresses, portable commodes and pressure cushions. This means that the equipment is to hand and can be issued to the patient immediately rather than having to wait for items to be released by the Primary Care Trust central store.
Six blood pressures machines, a Cryotherapy “Gun” and Spiromenter have also recently been purchased for the practice nurses.
Recruitment
Volunteers are recruited through adverts posted on a board in the surgery and leaflets giving information about Wouldcare are handed to new patients when they register with the surgery. Every three years a mailshot is sent out to all patients reminding them about Wouldcare services and asking for new volunteers, especially drivers. This also brings in new members for the 100 Club. Adverts are placed annually in the local press informing people of the Christmas bazaar and AGM, which can help to attract potential volunteers.
Screening and training
The volunteer co-ordinator meets with volunteers, and as the majority are patients at the surgery anyway, she is able to request references from their GP at the surgery or from their previous GP. Criminal Record Bureau checks are also to be carried out.
No training is required. Volunteer drivers must have clean driving licenses and must know the local area. Maps are provided for additional help and support is given if required.
For further information contact:
Elaine Hearne
Woulcare Volunteer Co-ordinator
The Wooda Surgery
Clarence Wharf
Barnstaple Street
Bideford
Devon EX39 4AU
Email: Elaine.Hearn@gp-L83106.nhs.uk
