Support the Practice
What is the Imperial Venture Group [The Friends of Imperial Surgery]?
Here at Imperial Practice we have a Patient Support Group, which is a registered charity (called the Imperial Venture Group). The support group is run by a management committee, consisting of patients - elected at the Group's AGM - and Practice representatives.
The Patient Support Group brings various benefits to the Practice and its patients, these are:
 Volunteer car service for transport to and from the surgeryFund raising activities to help purchase practice equipment
Ensures the patients' voice is heard at times of policy reviews
The support group can only be successful if you get involved. If you feel you can contribute, please leave your name and details with reception, where you can obtain a membership form. Membership of the support group is free, but of course donations are always welcome.
Fundraising: to provide items of equipment that the surgery would be unable to provide without this support. To date the group has provided the children's corner in the waiting room, an electrocardiograph machine, the electronic notice board in the waiting room, and is now investigating other items including a new nurses couch.
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Handover of ECG machine from the IVG to Imperial Medical Practice
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Transport: to provide a service to the practice to transport patients who have no means of transport to bring them to the surgery or Exmouth Hospital. Imperial Venture Group volunteer drivers man this service and arrangements are made in liaison with the surgery.
Bunty Hawketts - IVG Group Transport Co-ordinator
Medical Talks: to arrange in conjunction with the medical staff talks which are open to patients and all interested parties on a range of medical issues of common interest to a wide cross section of the community, e.g. Stroke, Diabetes, Obesity etc.
Promotion of Self Help Groups: the group has established 'Healthy Choices at Imperial' - the Slimming Club with a difference, which meets weekly. It helps the participants to lose weight in a supportive and fun atmosphere with the assistance of dietary and exercise advice.
The Imperial Medical Practice News Letter: the group helps with the compilation and distribution of the quarterly news letter, which is available to all patients either from the practice reception or via this website. This provides patients with up to date information on current news about the practice and the Imperial Venture Group.
Patient Feedback: it allows the doctors, medical staff and administrative staff to receive feedback from the patients, and thus, to improve the way in which the practice operates.
The group meets formally with the medical team about six times each year, so that the activities of the group can be discussed and organised.
Who can become involved?
Any patient of the practice can become a member. It is a wonderful way of contributing to the success of the Imperial Surgery. Everyone can potentially participate - every small amount of help, be it of time, money or talent helps make the practice operate more effectively. Do not underestimate your ability to help - everyone can!
How do I become a member of The Imperial Venture Group?
Membership forms are available from the receptionist at the surgery or contact the Secretary of the Imperial Venture Group:
Secretary: Annetta Quilter
63 St Andrews Road
Exmouth
EX8 1AS
Can I make a financial donation to the Imperial Venture Group?
A contribution, however small, will always make a difference to the patients at the surgery, as it will always help to provide equipment that the surgery is unable to afford itself.
Please send cheques (payable to Imperial Venture Group) to the Treasurer of the Imperial Venture Group:
Treasurer: Patrick Brooks
3 Valley Way
Exmouth
EX8 4PD
Please remember that if you are a taxpayer then you can `Gift Aid' a contribution, which means that we can claim back the tax from the Inland Revenue, thus making every £1 donated worth £1.28!! Please do help us to take advantage of this facility it makes a huge difference, simply by you signing a form, which we can post to you.
There is also a 'donations box' on the reception desk at the surgery.
I would like to help the Imperial Venture Group in some way. How do I go about it?
Send an email using the facility on this website in the 'Contact Us ' section, and it will get to a member of the group who will be in touch with you by phone - (so please do fill in the Phone Number section).
If, for example, you are a driver and would like to become a volunteer driver, don't think you have to jump straight in; our Transport Co-ordinator, Bunty Hawketts, will be able to go through all that it entails before you have to make a commitment of any kind. However, drivers provide such a valuable and appreciated service that they are always welcomed with open arms.
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Thank you to all those members of the practice who are already members of 'The Imperial Venture Group - The Friends of Imperial Surgery', and who have helped to make such a positive contribution to the Imperial Surgery.
Also many thanks for the hard work of members of the group who attend daily to water and look after the outdoor and indoor plants. We now have a stunning display of annuals and shrubs.
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