GP journeys made easier

The first customer of a scheme to take patients to GP appointments said it would make a big difference to her life.

Mrs Pauline Bombroffe, of Churchill Drive, Newark, was the first to use the Newark Age Concern medical transport service for an appointment at Barnbygate Surgery, Newark.

Volunteer driver Mrs Chris O’Toole, 62, of Beckingham, picked up Mrs Bombroffe from her home, dropped her off at the surgery, waited during her appointment and drove her home.

Mrs Bombroffe said she normally made the trip by taxi which cost about £10 but she had to pay only £3 for the Age Concern service.

She said: “To pay £10 a time is a lot out of your pension for a lot of people.”

Mrs Bombroffe, who has diabetes, was attending a blood test and said she hoped to use the service again.

She said: “It’s important to get more volunteers because if somebody’s got half a day to spare it could make a big difference to someone like me.”

The service will also take patients to Newark Hospital, dentist, chiropodist and optician appointments and is available to people over 50.

Those with hospital appointments further away should ask their GP to contact Newark and Sherwood Voluntary Transport Scheme.

Mrs O’Toole said she became a volunteer to help the community.

She said: “My job ended last year. I had been working at Newark Library and helping people in Newark for 20 years and I thought I would like to continue doing something.”

The chairman of Newark Age Concern, Mr Pip Apps, said they were looking for more volunteer drivers.

He said: “It’s important because for people of a certain age it can be a real effort just to get to the bus stop or even from the front door to the garden gate.

“It’s important that people get to medical appointments.”

Mr Apps said they were also looking for volunteers for a home-visiting scheme who would make weekly or fortnightly social visits to elderly people.

He said: “A lot of older people live isolated lives especially if they can’t get out and about and have lost their spouse.

“This is a chance for them to have someone visit them in their own homes and spend a bit of time talking to them.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Mr Apps on 01636 701888.