The Friends of the Hadleigh Practice was formed by a group of volunteer patients in 1995 with the following aims:

• To compile a register of volunteers to help with various projects when required.

• To raise health awareness by holding health education meetings and lectures.

• To inform patients of changes and developments in the Practice.

• To enable patients to express their viewpoints about their care.

• To raise funds.

To this end the Friends of the Practice hold coffee mornings and raffles regularly on the first Monday in the month at Hadleigh House and the third Monday at Hadleigh Lodge. A newsletter is produced 3 times per year to inform patients of changes within the Practice forthcoming events. Patient surveys are conducted in an effort to improve services and to ascertain patient needs. Education meetings are held regularly throughout the year with locally based doctors and consultants speaking on popular medical topics.

Fund-raising in the past few years has allowed the following purchases:

1997: 7 TENS machines, Arterial Doppler, 2 Digital BP monitors

1998: 2 chairs

1999: £1000 towards an operations lamp, 2 nebulisers, 2 cauterisers, 2 spirometers,a sigmoidoscope and lamp, 2 medical cameras with films

2000: A baby change unit, Doppler cuff, equipment boxes, £600 towards equipment for the Health Information Room based at Hadleigh Lodge

2001: 2 pillows, TV and video recorder, 12 paediatric ear thermometers and an operation equipment trolley.

2002: Minor operation trolley, pillows for consulting rooms, ear thermometers and a baby changing station for Health Visitors

2004: 2 hand-held spirometers, 6 TENS machines

2005: Heartscreen ECG machine

2006: 2 high-backed chairs for Waiting Room