A NEW wellbeing service to help people in Whitehill and Bordon is due to be launched this month.

The Surgery Signposting scheme will be introduced at Bordon’s Forest Surgery.

A team of six volunteers has been recruited, by the charity Community First, for the new service, which is already up and running in the Gosport, Fareham and Havant areas.

Surgery signposters will be available to anyone living in Whitehill and Bordon, putting them in touch with community groups and charities that provide information and help to improve people’s health and wellbeing or who can support people with long-term conditions.

This may include quitting smoking, improving diet, support with dementia, alcoholism or coping with loneliness.

People can refer themselves but GPs in particular are being encouraged to help patients become aware of the service.

The scheme is being funded by the Hampshire MCP initiative (Multispeciality Community Provider), which involves GP practices, nurses and other community-based professionals providing joined-up care tailored to the needs of patients and their communities. 

Dr Antony Leung, of the Badgerswood and Forest Surgeries, said: “As a GP, I will do everything possible to diagnose illness and prescribe treatments, but feeling good and getting the most out of life is often about more than that.

“This is where surgery signposters can make a big difference to people’s lives and to their quality of life.

“They will prove a fantastic resource for us.

“If a patient is feeling lonely, or lacking confidence, or wanting help to lead a healthier life, then the volunteers could step in and steer people towards the voluntary sector, which provides all kind of services that few GPs are likely to know about.”

* To access the new service in Bordon, call 01420 477111 after midday on Monday to Friday and ask for an appointment, which can last up to 40 minutes.

Appointments can be made now.