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10 Phonebox Magazine | November 2025Reaff rs%u2019 Le%u001a ersCobbs Garden resultsDear SirYour readers may recall my letter published in the August magazine concerning the Cobbs Garden Patient Participation Group survey. That survey ran throughout July, August and September, and I would like to thank all those who took part. We had 1760 responses, a response rate of 19.5% of those registered with the practice.The results have now been collated, and as advised in my August letter, they have now been published. There are two sets of information available on the Olney Notice Board and Cobbs Garden PPG Facebook pages. Firstly, the questionnaire data, and secondly, an analysis of comments made by patients in response to an open question at the end of the questionnaire. However, here are a few extracts from the results that your readers may fi nd of interest.%u2022%u2002 58% of patients felt they were satisfi ed with how they were able to get an appointment within a suitable time slot.%u2022%u2002 42% of patients were satisfied with the telephone call waiting time and ease of getting through to the surgery.%u2022%u2002 68% of patients were satisfied with the online service for appointments and other requests.%u2022%u2002 43% of patients were satisfi ed with the ability to see their chosen medical professional.From the 622 personal comments included with the questionnaire%u2022%u2002 152 felt that the surgery off ered excellent service%u2022%u2002 117 felt that it was difficult to make an appointment%u2022%u2002 62 felt there was no follow-up consistency and continuity in care%u2022%u2002 61 felt that there were a variety of issues with the waiting room reception area.The above information is only a brief part of that now available to the PPG, and we will be working with the staff at the surgery to use all of this very useful information to help develop and improve the services for the patients.Finally, there is one area where patients can have an immediate impact to help the surgery staff and other patients, and I would ask for that help. As mentioned above, patients felt there was some diffi culty in making an appointment, but in September alone there were 129 missed appointments at the surgery at an average cost to the NHS of approximately %u00a35160.00. If an appointment has been booked and is no longer needed, please cancel, and then hopefully that slot can be utilised for someone else. I hope that the PPG will be able to publish the missed appointment information on a monthly basis to try and help bring down the number of missed appointments. Thank you. Tony Lamming, Vice Chair, Cobbs Garden PPGDelivery woesDear SirI%u2019m writing to let you know that Morrisons has decided to terminate the employment of all of the local paperboys and papergirls operating from their store on the Market Place, Olney. I understand that they have done this as they have decided to centralise their distribution by vehicles from a central hub. I feel that it%u2019s worthy of note as it seems to be the end of an era for the paper round in the town, and I feel that it%u2019s a real shame for society at large. Paper rounds have provided a valuable fi rst step into the world of work for youngsters. They teach responsibility, timekeeping, and independence, while also giving young people the confi dence that comes with earning their own income. I%u2019m sure there are other factors, such as the environmental impact of moving to deliveries by vehicle instead of on foot, together with the loss of community from no longer using local youngsters to deliver in person. My son is one of the boys now losing his job, having had two older brothers who had carried this out previously. I wanted to make you aware in case you feel this story is worthy of inclusion in the next publication of the Phonebox. Lee WoodComplaintDear SirI would like to make a complaint concerning the article written by Mr C. Curtis MP in the October edition of Phonebox.In the last sentence, he states, %u201cWe will keep working to make sure the right action is taken for the community%u201d.This is a misleading statement. I have shown Mr Curtis evidence that a person who is in public offi ce lied concerning an investigation in a civil matter.I informed him that it would be in the public interest that he should report this person to the appropriate authority. He chose not to do so.When he writes his next article, please ask him not to make misleading statements.PS. I can show you the evidence if required.C. TompkinsWonderful showDear SirI just want to make a comment to whom it may concern to say that the Summer Flowers in Newport Pagnell this year were absolutely amazing. Every lamppost was adorned with huge displays, so whoever supplied these and fed and watered them throughout the summer, can I say a huge thank you.Sarah StonorCelebrating the Spirit of John LennonDear SirAfter reading your entertainment section and seeing the John Lennon tribute you featured, my wife and I decided to visit the Stables and see the show ourselves. What a superb night, thank you so much.Reg JonesMacMillan ThanksDear SirI need to thank my husband, close family and friends for helping host the MacMillan Charity event we held at the Carlton Club. Thank you to everyone who came, supported and donated with both money and raffl e prizes. We raised %u00a31,026.90 on the day, plus %u00a3365 on the Just Giving page and %u00a3320 for Brave the Shave. Sarah MasonWriting group activitiesDear SirOver the next two to three months, leading up to the New Year, the Olney Writing Club are working on some key initiatives: attendance at a number of LitFests, working on a Dickens project, and hosting a number of book launches. We also had an idea of providing advice and insight into possible books for Christmas stockings.These activities are in response to the growing membership of the book club. There is a tremendous interest in books at the moment, especially those created by local authors. Please give me a call if you are interested in joining Olney Writing Club.Jim Coley 07885 346 110