STAFF at Gainford Surgery were given a surprise treat last week as a thank you for all their hard work during the pandemic and after being named the top surgery in County Durham in this year’s NHS GP patient survey.
Afternoon teas were brought in from Robineau’s for the staff last Wednesday when two special visitors, Nimpy and Noddle, five-month-old Valois black nose therapy sheep, paid a visit.
Practice manager Liesa Graham said: “Everyone has worked so hard over the last two years and I don’t think people appreciate what goes on behind the scenes.”
Gainford Surgery ranked 31 out of 6,417 practices with putting them among the top one per cent in the country.
She added: “We have always done well in the patient survey but to come top in County Durham is brilliant.
“All of the rural practices in Teesdale did well in the survey and I think it is because we as rural communities pulled together and want to help each other.
“We had thought about organising a meal out for everyone to say thank you for all their hard work, but we decided to get the therapy sheep in as one of the girls had seen them in a magazine and thought they would be lovely to see.”
The two Valois black nose lambs of Emily Newton from Piercebridge, who runs Ewenique Events, were a big hit with everyone marvelling at their size, impressive fleeces, friendliness and appetite for digestive biscuits.
Staff enjoyed feeding the cute and cuddly lambs as well as giving them a brush.
