VOLUNTEERS in Radstock, Chilcompton and Midsomer Norton have raised more than £50,000 over the past 25 years to support Somer Valley Medical Group.

This funding has supported the purchase of vital equipment and organisation of free community health talks.

Established in 1998, the group began as a Patient Participation Group aiming to strengthen communication between patients and GP surgeries. Over time, it evolved into a registered charity, raising money to fund medical equipment not provided by the NHS and hosting free health talks for the local community.

Over their lifetime, it is estimated that the Friends have raised well over £50,000 for extra equipment. Only last month they donated just over £4,000 for extra equipment at each three surgeries. This equipment is aimed at achieving speedier diagnosis or arranging the diagnosis at the surgery rather than patients trekking to Bath. The quicker the diagnosis, the quicker the treatment.

The practice has grown over time — initially by joining with Chilcompton Surgery, and more recently by merging with Somer House Practice to form the Somer Valley Medical Group.

Over the course of these changes, the Friends of Somer Valley Medical Group (and its earlier versions) have continued to raise funds for medical equipment, organise free Health Talks open to the entire community, and promote dialogue between patients and the practice.

Funds are raised by a 200 Club with monthly prize draws, and a Christmas Raffle, supported by several local businesses. Raffle ticket days, in particular, provide great opportunities for patients to raise concerns and offer feedback to the committee members.

The group’s annual general meeting will be held on, September 4 at 6pm, with the venue yet to be confirmed. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact the current chair, Jenny Evans, on 01761 232244, or leave a note marked “the Friends” at any of the surgeries