Updated 4 September 2019
Botesdale Health Centre was a purpose-built Health Centre. The practice provides Primary Medical Services to approximately 9,000 patients and is situated in central Botesdale near Diss, Norfolk. The building provides good access with accessible toilets and disabled car parking facilities. The provider is registered with CQC to deliver the Regulated Activities; Diagnostic and screening procedures, maternity and midwifery services, family planning and treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
The practice provides services to a diverse population, in a semi-rural location. According to Public Health England data, 28% of the registered patients are over the age of 65, this is above local and national averages. The practice demography differs slightly to the national average, for example, the percentage of patients with a long-standing health condition was 58% and higher than the CCG (53%) and national (51%) averages. People in paid work or full-time education for this area was 56% and lower than CCG (61%) and national (62%) averages. Income deprivation affecting children is 9%, which is below the CCG (12%) and national (20%). Income deprivation affecting older people is 10% which is below CCG (12%) and national (20%).
The practice has a team of eight GPs, four GPs are partners meaning they hold managerial and financial responsibility for the practice. In addition to this clinical staff include; a nurse practitioner, an urgent care practitioner, two practice nurses, two health care assistants (one in training). Supporting the clinical team are a dispensary manager who over sees nine dispensers, a practice manager, office manager, two medical secretaries and a team of reception and administration staff. Botesdale is a training practice and GP registrars provide clinics throughout the year. On the day of inspection there were no registrars on duty.
The practice provides X-ray and Ultrasound equipment on site for the use of patients and those registered at neighbouring practices. This is overseen by a team of radiologists from West Suffolk Hospital.
Patients using the practice also have access to community staff including the community matron, district nurses, community psychiatric nurses, health visitors, counsellors, support workers, health visitors and midwives. There are also a wide range of consultants led clinics from West Suffolk Hospital providing outreach services at the health centre.
Surgery opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 6.30pm and Saturday 7.50am to midday; these are bookable appointments only. Outside of practice opening hours a service is provided by another health care provider (Harmoni), by patients dialling the national 111 service.