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Botesdale Health Centre: The Health Centre is situated in Back Hills and aims to provide the highest standard of primary care currently possible within the NHS. Purpose built in 1981, the Health Centre houses a full compliment of nursing and medical personnel, supported by a large team of administrative staff. Other personnel working within the community and housed in the building include a health visitor, midwife, physiotherapist, counsellor, dietician, speech therapist and chiropodist. The Health Centre caters for the medical needs of about 7500 patients, residing in 50 surrounding villages. Because the Health Centre is almost equidistant from Bury St Edmunds, Norwich and Ipswich, secondary care is provided by the hospitals of the above, depending on patient preference and clinical need.

For more information and appointments contact:    01379 898 295

                      For repeat prescriptions contact:    01379 890 616

                         For repeat prescriptions (FAX):    01379 890 477

The Friends of Botesdale Health Centre: The Friends of Botesdale Health Centre is a charity run by patients for the benefit of all who attend the Health Centre. As such 'The Friends' make a vital contribution to the Health Centre.

For more information contact Mrs Sara Rhodes on: 01379 898 642

The Voucher System

Suffolk Community Transport.
Co-ordinator: Mr G Lawrence 01379 897 109

This is a Rural Transport Service run by the British Red Cross, on behalf of the Suffolk County Council, who fund the service. It is also known as 'Wheels within Wheels'. The Community Transport scheme aims to provide door to door transport for those unable to use public transport and who are without the use of a car. There is a provision for wheelchair users.

The specially adapted vehicle can accommodate 5 passengers or 3 passengers plus one wheelchair and is available for shopping trips, visits to the doctor or hospital, transport to and from a railway station, for club outings or just for visiting friends.

As a contribution towards operating costs, the vehicle is charged at 27 pence per mile travelled, measured from base, irrespective of the number of passsengers. The service is operated by a team of unpaid, volunteer drivers and each journey is dependent upon a volunteer driver being available.

In the case of persons who cannot access the benefit of half fare travel on conventional bus services, for reasons of severe disability or the fact that due to their location, such services are unavailable to them, qualifying applicants can obtain vouchers to be used towards the cost of Community Transport. For an application form for vouchers, ring 01379 897 109 or use the link below.

To use the Community Transport service please ring Mr G Lawrence on 01379 897 109. An answer phone is always available on this number. Early booking is recommended.

British Red Cross - Medical Loans
Organiser: Mr & Mrs K Painter
01379 890 653

Medical equipment that can help to make life easier for the ill or disabled is available on loan. Having the use of this equipment can make the difference between staying in hospital or being able to go home on time, ease people back into their own homes after illness or surgery, enable them to go on holiday with friends or family, or enable them care for themselves at home.

This scheme is run and administered for the benefit of local people. Equipment available for loan includes wheelchairs for adults and children, bath seats, commodes, raised toilet seats, bed pans, urinals, walking frames and sticks, plus many other items.

Loans are considered to be temporary and usually made for periods of up to 3 months. There is no charge made for the loan of equipment but donations are greatly appreciated as they enable this valuable service to be continued and its scope extended.

For more information on the availabiliy equipment or to obtain an equipment loan, ring Mr or Mrs Painter on 01379 890 653