SILVERTON LINK-UP

Voluntary Service Group to both Surgeries in the Village

List of LINK-UP drivers for the residents of Silverton :-

• John Kiely - 861545

• Shaun Fitzpatrick - 860972

• Eric Newton - 860082                

• Trish Barron - 860401

• Ann Sobzak - 881121

• Margaret Clough - 860971

• Tony Woodhouse - 841151       

The LINK-UP is designed to take the elderly or disabled into the surgery or to hospitals either in Exeter or Tiverton. If you have an appointment you can approach any of the drivers for a lift, giving them as much notice as possible. There is no fee for this service, but should you wish to make a donation into the LINK-UP funds your driver will be pleased to accept your contribution on the completion of your journey.

For those of you living outside the village of Silverton, you can obtain a lift to your Health Centre by telephoning Mrs Val King on 01392 841580.

The LINK-UP scheme was started in 1989 when two of the Community Nurses attached to the surgery arranged for voluntary drivers to bring elderly patients into the surgery, which saved home visits being made. The term LINK-UP was adopted as all the villages outside Silverton were linked together by these drivers.

In 1991 the existing co-ordinator, Stan Chilcott, took over the scheme, more drivers were recruited and patients were taken into hospitals and medical centres in either Exeter or Tiverton. In 1997 a group was started at Stoke Canon, again more drivers were recruited and villages outside Silverton were covered by the scheme.

We are always looking for drivers who are prepared to give up half a day say once or twice every two weeks or so to take the elderly or disabled into hospital. We are able to help with car expenses thanks to the assistance we receive from the “Friends of Wyndham House Surgery”.

Stan Chilcott MBE
LINK-UP Co-ordinator