THE League of Friends of Chiddenbrook Surgery held an Open Evening on February 12 for invited guests, surgery staff, doctors and League members.

Recently the League purchased an INR machine which enables a finger prick test for patients on Warfarin to be given their dosage there and then.

In the past a blood test would have needed to be sent away for analysis and then the patient would have to be contacted to be given the results and the new dosage. This could have taken a few days but now, thanks to the INR machine, the results are instant. 

The evening was sponsored by S J Willis and Sons with the wine being donated by Jewson's of Crediton and the game from M C Kelly of Copplestone. The balance of the game was shot by Steve Willis during this season.

Tim Harris the Devon Chef, from Crediton, cooked some tasty dishes, using the game provided.  The evening was well attended and Dr Claire Griffiths showed some of the equipment purchased by the League and explained that with the surgery having such a good selection of  equipment patients, could get some treatment at the surgery rather than having to travel into the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Two nebulizers have also been purchased along with a blood pressure monitor which patients wear for seven hours during the day and it takes 14 readings every half-an-hour.  

Richard Ward the Practice Manager said a few words of thanks to Steve at the end of the evening and mentioned that the next fundraiser would be a Skittles Evening at Sandford Cricket Club on Saturday, March 8, starting at 7.30pm.

Cost is £4 per person and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome and no skills are needed.