The queues that build up from time to time in the reception area of Elmham Surgery have been a major topic of discussion at the recent meetings of the Patient Participation Group. At the latest meeting, in February, it was announced that steps were being taken to remove the need for people to stand in a line while waiting to collect prescriptions from the dispensary.

The surgery is to try out the ticket system that’s a familiar feature of delicatessen counters in supermarkets. In this case, patients will collect a ticket from a point near the dispensary counter and wait anywhere they like until their number is displayed. This will be of immediate benefit to the parents of young children (who become quickly bored with queuing) and to people who have difficulty in standing for any length of time. All will be able to sit and wait, out of the way of anyone.

What this does not address, of course, is the time that’s spent waiting. That is controlled by the working procedures on the dispensary side of the counter. Two other factors have to be borne in mind: the development of the delivery service of repeat prescriptions through post offices in outlying villages and the existence of a dispensary in the satellite surgery in Swanton Morley (the permanent building there is due to be completed at the beginning of May). The hope is that these could eventually reduce the load on the dispensary at Elmham.

In the meantime, a belated welcome to the latest addition to the practice: Dr Trudy Welton. She’s been a GP for 20 years.

The group’s next meeting will be on Thursday, April 7th in Elmham School at 7.30pm.  If there’s any matter you would like to raise, contact Alan MacKim or Ann Adeney (01362 683380).

Alan MacKim
 

WENSUM VALLEY 
BIRDWATCHING SOCIETY

The WVBS birdwatchers are generally a rugged lot, braving the elements in pursuit of their hobby. Last month was the exception however when we visited the Wildfowl Reserve at Welney.  Here, from the comfort of a heated, double glazed hide with comfy seats, we were able to watch as thousands of birds, mainly Swans and Pochards, flocked to the Reserve for their afternoon feed.  It was interesting to see three different types of Swan, Mute, Bewick and Whooper all together. In the resulting mêlée the plucky Pochards fared better than I expected, often ‘seeing off’ their larger cousins. Some members stayed on for the 6.30 pm floodlit evening feed.  A remarkable spectacle and well worth the visit.

A good turnout again at Lenwade as Rob Fuller of the BTO, standing in for Moss Taylor, discussed the fate and fortune of woodland birds. Research so far seems to have generated more questions than answers.  It appears that potential causes of decline in woodland birds are due to a combination of factors, one of which is the modification of habitat by the increasing deer population.  A full report on this subject can be found on www.bto.org.
Our outdoor meeting in April is Sunday 10th . Ray Gribble will lead a trip to East Norfolk.  This is a joint trip with the Nar Valley Ornithological Society (NARVOS).  Meet at Morrison's (formerly Safeways), Fakenham at 8.45am to depart 9am. Beginners welcome, binoculars provided - but no heated hides. 

Next indoor meeting is Thursday April 21st which is our AGM plus a talk by David Brooks on ‘Nature’s year in Norfolk’, starting at 7.30 at Lenwade Village Hall   All are welcome.  

Non-members £2. Raffle and refreshments as always.

Colin Wright 740548    [www.wvbs.co.uk]