A DOCTOR'S surgery in Dudley is hoping to make better friends with their patients at a special open day on Saturday (September 17).

Steppingstones Medical Practice, based in the town centre, is opening up the practice to show everyone that the "GPs and staff are human" and want to work with them to improve communication in the community.

Joanne Green, practice manager, said health and care is a two-way street and the open day is hoped to show patients that they can expect more than just a flat diagnosis from a doctor.

She said: "We want the patients of the practice to see that the GP’s and staff are human and they work hard to meet the ever demanding challenges and changes within the NHS in the 21st century.

"Contrary to popular belief, GP surgeries and the staff and doctors are not the enemy, just as the sky isn’t always blue - sometimes it's grey, sometimes it's white, need I say more.

"GP’s receptionists have reputations for being fire-breathing dragons – but their jobs are near impossible and highly demanding now that surgeries have so many patients to deal with.

"Patients demand the best treatment from their doctor, to insist on the best care, every time. And we completely agree. Gone, are the days when the doctor always knew best, when decisions about patient care were for the doctor to make and the patient to accept.

"People are much better informed these days and we feel that clinical decisions should be made together. Ownership of our practice, our NHS, needs to be seen as belonging to those for whom it was intended - our patients.

"We hope that the open day will promote the services available locally whilst enabling our patients to understand that ownership of their health belongs to them and education is the starting point."

As well as looking to make friends with all their visitors, the practice will also be promoting health eating and will have visitors from Diabetes UK, Carers, Age UK, and more, to give informal advice.

There will so be fun activities for children being held on the day, including a lucky dip, face painting, hook-a-duck, and a colouring table.

Proceeds from the event will go to White House Cancer Support.