A PROJECT to station volunteers at GP surgeries, where they will offer advice about community services, will be trialled on the Isle of Wight.
Wearing distinctive orange shirts, the community information volunteers will offer information about clubs and societies, childcare facilities, support groups and even debt management services.
The project is being launched during this month by healthcare watchdog the Isle of Wight LINk and Community Action Isle of Wight — formerly the Isle of Wight Rural Community Council — and will be trialled for six months at three surgeries in Ryde and Newport.
The volunteers, who will not provide healthcare or medical advice, will be available to talk to people in the waiting areas once a week.
If a volunteer is unavailable, request slips for information can be filled out and left in the repeat prescription box.
Dr Michelle Legg is a GP at Tower House, Ryde, one of the practices that will pilot the project.
She said: "Our practice is delighted to be involved at the start of this new project.
"My patients often need information about wider community services and facilities to help them stay as healthy as possible. The volunteers will help them find exactly the type of information they need."
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk