A MASSIVE show of support has raised nearly £10,000 in a week for an emergency appeal launched in response to the fire that destroyed Chiddingfold Surgery.

Residents of Chiddingfold and surrounding areas were shocked to hear on January 7 that the large GP practice which extends from Milford to Dunsfold and Lurgashall would remain shut for the forseeable future.

Responding, The Friends of Chiddingfold Surgery set up a Fire Appeal to raise money to re-equip the doctors. Chairman Simon Inchbald told the Herald on Tuesday (Jan 15): “The response from donors has been quite marvellous and at the moment stands at close to £10,000.

“We will, of course, use the funds in accordance with our constitution for the benefit of the patients of the surgery and we are touched and grateful for this level of support. We are still waiting to hear from the doctors about the level of need for funds to replace equipment lost in the fire and how much is covered by insurance. They and the surgery staff are working hard to get things back to as near normal as possible and we will respond as quickly as we can when we know what is required.”

In an update issued earlier this week, a spokesman from Guildford and Waverley CCG, said: “In the very short term, the surgery is running clinics at Milford Crossroads Surgery. This will be a limited service with a longer-term solution to relocate to available space at Milford Hospital. Staff from the surgery and CCG are working with Royal Surrey County Hospital to ensure the Milford Hospital site is up and running in the next few weeks.

“The surgery will be contacting patients who have a booked appointment to reschedule or redirect them to another suitable clinic. It is anticipated that the surgery will be running a limited service for a few weeks. The original Chiddingfold Surgery telephone line (call 01428 683174) is now up and running and patients should use this number to book an urgent GP appointment. Patients are reminded that A&E should not be used as an alternative to a GP appointment unless it is an emergency.

“A limited dispensing service is running from the Dunsfold branch of the surgery. Repeat prescriptions can be ordered via Patient Access, e-mailing the surgery and leaving a written request. The Chiddingfold Car-Go scheme (call 07899 340073) can provide transport to an essential appointment at one of the alternative surgery locations.”

* To donate, visit friendsofchiddsurgery.org.