A DALES medical practice is offering a new prescription service for those who are housebound or find it difficult to travel.

Previously, the Central Dales Practice for Hawes and Aysgarth, which covers 500 square miles, had offered a drop-off delivery service to their 4,500 patients.

But the bulk of the task fell upon the overworked shoulders of the doctors. Now the practice has bought a new 4x4 Suzuki Jimny delivery vehicle and is offering their patients a home delivery service.

Practice manager Lynn Irwin said: “We have a drop off service which is still continuing, but the doctors usually did it, which is not good use of their time.

“The new vehicle allows us do it more efficiently now. If patients sign up for the dispensing service we can offer home deliveries.

“Although we do have set days and routes, we aim to be flexible. If the doctor sees a patient and they need a prescription we will do our best to deliver it.”

The new vehicle is insured for any driver over 30 and although a number of staff will undertake the work anyone with some spare time may volunteer.

The service applies to dispensing patients only.