Friends of Oakley and Overton Surgeries

Background to the Friends of Overton Surgery

The surgery set up an equipment fund in February 1983 for money being given to the surgery from various sources other than normal NHS funding, in particular individual donations, to help improve available facilities for medical care.

The fund was used to purchase and maintain items of equipment not normally funded by the NHS, for example ECG machines and cryotherapy/ wart freezing equipment.

In September 2000 a large sum of money was bequeathed to the surgery.

The doctors felt the size of the bequest was such that it was larger than any likely demand for equipment purchase and the money should be responsive to the communities served by the surgery. They felt it important that it should be controlled independently of the Practice management, particularly as the money might last for several years.

It was decided to look into setting up a charitable body, to oversee the spending of the fund, with particular consideration to the needs and response of the local community.

A steering group was set up and the Charity Commissioners were consulted about the correct steps to take. An Inaugural meeting was held in April 2003 and the Friends of Overton Surgery were granted charitable status in September 2003.

An Annual General Meeting is held each May/June.

Amendment to become Friends of Oakley & Overton Surgeries

Changes to the Oakley & Overton Practice arrangements in 2006 resulted in the two surgeries working even more closely with patients able to attend either surgery.

As a result, equipment and services already provided by Friends of Overton Surgery started to benefit patients from both places and it became difficult to differentiate between the two groups of patients.

After discussion with all interested parties and major donors, it was decided to widen the scope of the charity to include Oakley Surgery and following consultation with the Charity Commissioners an updated constitution was agreed in January 2007.