The Watlington and Chalgrove Patient Participation Group (PPG) was formed in 2011 to facilitate communication between the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the Practice Patient Population. Since that time the PPG has established a close working relationship with staff at the Practice’s two surgeries. Last year some PPG members expressed a wish to raise funds for the Practice to purchase additional equipment which would directly benefit patients.
So the subsequently formed Fundraising Committee organised a raffle, tombola and cake stall at the Chalgrove May Day Festival and a Strawberry Cream Tea in Watlington in June These two events were very successful and raised sufficient funds to purchase a badly needed new ECG machine which was officially handed over to one of the Practice Partners, Dr Eileen McManus, on Wednesday 21 September.
On behalf of the Practice, Dr McManus thanked the Fundraising Committee for all the hard work that has gone into raising the money to buy this machine which will help to improve the ability to help diagnosis at the surgeries, thereby reducing the need to make a visit to hospital.
Another event – “a good old-fashioned jumble sale” – held in Watlington on 17 September raised funds which will go towards the purchase of specialist chairs in the waiting rooms for patients with mobility problems.
The PPG would like to thank the Fundraising Committee comprising Ann McDevitt (Fundraising Coordinator), Peter Grout (Treasurer), Jacky Wagstaff, Marian Davis, Ellen Collins and Maggie Lindley and also Christine Smith for their untiring enthusiasm and efforts and also thank all those patients, local businesses and friends who have generously supported this new venture.
The photograph shows the official handover of the ECG machine. From left to right, Sue Jeffries (Phlebotomist), Ellen Collins, Dr Eileen McManus (Practice Partner), Marian Davis, Anita Green (receptionist), Eva Goble (receptionist), Ann McDevitt and Maggie Lindley.
