Staff and the PPG at Cross Road Surgery have introduced a new initiative, giving access to books for both children and adults in the practice. Good quality children’s books have been donated to the practice and put in bags hand-made by a volunteer for kids to read in the surgery and take home to enjoy. A good selection of adults’ reading books are also available in the surgery.
Colin Huckle, PPG chair said “We came up with the idea in a PPG meeting after discussing how to improve people’s experiences of visiting the practice – a surgery waiting room is not the best environment to stimulate children’s minds, especially if they’re feeling poorly. A book can be a great way to distract children while they’re waiting to see the practice team and to be able to take it home in a bag can make them feel like they have received a present too!”
Jane Dawes, Practice Manager at Cross Road Surgery said “We know how important books are to children and not all families are in the position to buy them. Through our PPG and surgery contacts we’ve found a fantastic volunteer who can lovingly create bags from scrap material, we’ve hung the bags filled with books next to the playhouse in reception for any children to take and enjoy.
“Our books are not just for people with an appointment, all are welcome to come in and browse for a book, we’d also appreciate donations of good quality children’s and adult books and material to make the bags too”
Patient Participation Groups are run by volunteers and work alongside practice teams within GP surgeries. As well as providing feedback to practices on the services it provides and helping get information out to the wider patient population, groups work on projects which bring health and wellbeing benefits to their fellow patients.
For more information or to donate books or material to Cross Road Surgery please contact communication@nhsdorset.nhs.uk
