• Bute House and Newlands General Practices to merge in July 2019
• Improved patient care and career opportunities
• No job losses

Bute House and Newland Surgeries in Wootton Grove in Sherborne will merge together to form a single practice on the 1 July 2019. The new practice will be called “The Grove Medical Centre”.

All the currently employed clinical and support staff will be retained by the practice. The new practice will serve a population of over 12,000 patients living in Sherborne and surrounding areas.

Both practices have invited questions about the merger, from their respective Patient Participation Groups. These frequently asked questions will cover the main areas of interest and concern about the merger and will be available on line and in each surgery.

Dr Rob Childs who will be the senior partner of The Grove Medical Centre commented’

“We have been very fortunate in and around Sherborne, with the help and expertise of our excellent staff, to provide what is some of the most highly rated primary care, not only in Dorset but in all of England. However,we need to plan for the future and ensure we meet the growing challenges of an aging population and also meet the considerable difficulties in recruiting and retaining healthcare staff. The benefits of merger will allow us to adapt, deliver and respond to the challenges ahead. The Grove Medical Centre will become a more attractive place to work and ensure we are resilient and self-sustaining and can continue to provide excellent healthcare to our patients.”

Dr Christine Foster of Newland Surgery added;

“I am very excited about the merger and think it will deliver first class care for our patients in a new and dynamic surgery. “It is essential that we retain a robust and vibrant General Practice for years to come in Sherborne and its surrounding area.

“We have a growing and aging population. People are living longer with more chronic conditions and illnesses that place different demands on the resources that we have. There will be new ideas and different staff to help the new surgery deliver this care. I feel reassured about the future of both surgeries, for our patients and staff.  I would ask all our patients to please support this merger and help us to make it a great practice for your care. “

It is recognised across England that there is a shortage of doctors, nurses and experienced staff. Many communities have seen their GP practice close due to inability to recruit or because of ever increasing and unsustainable workload.

Dr Childs continued;

“It is essential that Sherborne retains a robust and vibrant General Practice for years to come. So, it makes sense at this time, to prepare for the future by working together as patients, doctors, nurses and support staff.  Sherborne and its surrounding area have a growing and aging population. People are living longer with more chronic conditions and illnesses that place increasing demands on the resources that we have. The merged practice will be more resilient to meet these growing demands.”

The newly merged practice will be located in its existing premises in Wootton Grove, Sherborne. Technical matters, such as phone numbers and online services will be updated to incorporate both surgeries.

There were lots of entrants in all four distances, whilst others enjoyed fun and games in The Hub. The event raised £1,074 for the Friends.

Sarah Chilcott and Gail Felgate knitted the entire contents of a Christmas-themed Dolls House which first went on display for a week in the window of the Slipped Stitch in Cheap Street. Admirers made donations to the Friends in recognition of their skills. It has subsequently been on display at a number of Craft Shows, most recently in the new Halloween theme, earning further donations which now total £664.36.

Gail added another £354 to the Crafty-duo’s tally, taking their total to an amazing £1018.36. This was raised by raffling the (2^nd) crochet blanket she had made – and that was as a result of Gail’s friends giving her too much wool for a blanket she wanted to make for herself in recognition of a BIG Birthday!

The initial launch and tumble to clear the plane were the worst for Ed, but he said the next thirty seconds diving 5,000ft and gaining a speed of 125mph, followed by the slower flight after the parachute had opened were awesome and beautiful.

The Skydive was fully funded by Mary Kachel in appreciation of the wonderful care given by the Yeatman to both her late husband and herself.  Grateful thanks to all who have supported her initiative which is set to raise £2,062 once Gift Aid is reclaimed

Students from Sherborne International transformed a drab outlook from a ward by painting their “Wall of Wonder” with guidance from their Head of Art Jamie Clark.  Funds were raised by the students and supported by the Friends, and the project was coordinated by the Arts Society, Sherborne.

NORDCAT is a charitable organisation which provides a door-to-door minibus service across the Dorset Area.

They will be providing a trial Monday bus service from 1 October to 17 December for passengers needing transport from West End and surrounding villages into Sherborne.  Liaison is taking place locally with Patient Participation Groups to coincide with passengers’ medical appointments and clinics.

Passengers need to register with NORDCAT and their journey needs to be pre-booked. Please contact Helen Read on 01258 472164 or 473154.

The Friends are delighted to announce that against strong and worthy opposition they were successful in their bid to become the Sherborne Sainsbury’s Charity of the Year July 2018- July 2019. They are indebted to all who voted for them both in-store and on-line.

Click here to read thanks and news from Chairman David.

Amongst the multitude of items currently held at Sherborne Museum there are a number of documents relating to the Friends of the Yeatman Hospital

These have not been called upon for many years.

The Museum is of necessity having to rationalise items housed there, as their collections are ever-expanding, but the storage space is not elastic!   Items relating to the Friends are amongst those to be transferred to the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester from 12 June, but we are confident that they will be safely kept, and that it will still be possible to view them.

A Statement from the Museum in respect of this transfer is available to view by clicking here.

You may view the Catalogue of items in the collection by clicking here.

 

Anyone who wishes to view selected items in the archive before they are transferred to the Dorset History Centre should first identify them from the Catalogue, and then contact the Museum to arrange a viewing as detailed in the Statement.

When a small bay became available for alternative use due to the closure of two beds on Beech Ward, Matron Anne was keen to develop the space to form a second End of Life suite for the Willows in-patient unit. 

The Friends were pleased to help in this endeavour, and are delighted that the project has come to fruition.

The space was reconfigured to provide a patient bedroom with its own wet-room, entailing radical work to install hoist mechanisms in the ceilings for safer and dignified manoeuvring of patients.

This was together with the installation of cabling for a range of modern electronic equipment.  Installation of a French door and larger window have also added to the amenities.

An adjoining room for use by close relatives was developed and enables them to take breaks from supporting their loved-one, and to make themselves drinks and snacks during visits.  Installation of WiFi, television, variable lighting, and a high spec music system all add to the sensory experiences available to both patient and relatives.

Staff voted that the new facility should be named the Ada Kearvell Suite in memory of Ada, who served as Matron for 30 years from 1899.

(click on a pic to see more)

More details about Ada can be found by clicking here.

On Monday 7 August the Britain in Bloom judges visited the Willows Garden as part of their tour around Sherborne.

Sherborne in Bloom was invited to enter this competition after the town was a joint winner of the South West in Bloom Champion of Champions competition in 2016.

They are competing with seven other towns of similar size in England, Wales and Scotland to win top marks from the judges.

78 other towns, cities, and villages across the UK are also competing, but will have to wait until October to hear how they have done.