Village residents’ appointments timed to perfection for the West Dart Bus at Dartmouth Medical Practice

Volunteer West Dart Bus driver Jerry Neville with the bus

Dartmouth Medical Practice is bringing in a new system to ensure residents of villages around Dartmouth can secure appointments that coincide with the timetable of the West Dart Community bus.

The secured appointments are all on Friday mornings, as that is the day the bus – which has been running through the South Hams since 1986 – visits both Dittisham and Blackawton and drops residents in Dartmouth.  The service starts on Friday January 18.

The Medical Practice has made the move as it attempts to improve access for all residents in its catchment area.

Members of the practice’s Patient Participation Group were instrumental in the move. They highlighted the need to make sure residents without cars in these two villages could get appointments when the bus visited the town. Appointments at other times would create big headaches for those without transport.

The medical practice partners are also hoping to make sure blood tests and other information gathering can be done on the day to help residents from the villages make as few visits as possible to the surgery, reducing their costs and stress.

Reception manager Sam Lumley and new Dartmouth Medical Practice Partner Dr Andy Freeman, ready to take appointments from village residents

Appointments not filled by residents of the villages will be offered to others if they are not allocated within 48 hours of the appointments.

Dartmouth Medical Practice Partner Dr John Uhr Delia said: “We are delighted to offer these appointments to village residents. It is an idea we have been working on for a while now and we are pleased to launch it for the New Year. The great thing is if they aren’t filled we can re-allocate them, ensuring no appointments are left unused.

“We are determined to make sure we listen to our patients so we can provide the best service possible to all. The Patient Participation Group has been instrumental in a number of initiatives and this is one they were keen we implement. They are a vital part of our plan to keep looking for improvements in our services.”

To book a Friday appointment call the medical practice on 01803 832212 or register for online appointment booking through its website: www.dartmedical.co.uk.