12/08/2026
A polite but important request to our local community
We would kindly ask residents not to walk their dogs on the surgery grounds, including the staff garden area and particularly around the rear of the building.
These areas form part of the working environment of the practice and are used by staff and patients throughout the day. Around the rear of the surgery there is also a genuine risk that patient confidentiality could be compromised, for example through conversations being overheard or activity within clinical and staff areas being visible.
Unfortunately, today one of our GPs was sworn at after politely asking someone not to walk their dog through the surgery staff garden area. This is not acceptable.
Our staff should be able to carry out their work without being subjected to abusive, aggressive or intimidating behaviour for simply asking that private surgery grounds are respected.
We completely understand that many people enjoy walking their dogs locally, but the surgery grounds are not a public dog-walking route and we would be grateful if alternative routes could be used.
Please also remember that protecting patient privacy and confidentiality is a fundamental responsibility for us, and maintaining appropriate boundaries around the surgery site helps us to do that.
Thank you to everyone who respects our staff, our patients and the surgery environment.
