Friends of BHC
Even if there were no budget pressures in the Health Service, it is unlikely that it could provide all of the things necessary to make our Health Centre welcoming, comfortable and efficient. This is why The Friends of Botesdale Health Centre was established in 1982. Members pay a small annual contribution and others make one off donations that qualify for Gift Aid assistance from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. For every pound donated, the Friends are able to reclaim 28p from the government. There have also been several very generous bequests in the wills of past patients of the Centre (although these do not qualify for the Gift Aid tax refund). The most noteable recent bequest was for £30,000 in the will of Mr Dudley Orves and this has helped to make possible the Complementary Medicine Centre bearing his name.
The annual income of the Friends has averaged around £7,000 and in the 24 years they has been established the Friends have purchased a long list of equipment ranging from highly technical (and expensive) measurement systems to more everyday items like additional surgery lamps, pill boxes and educational toys. 
Sometimes, it is a good idea to duplicate essential equipment. Just one example is the defibrillator used to resuscitate patients suffering from potentially fatal conditions. The Friends have now bought four of these units and shared the cost of a fifth with the British Heart Foundation. Now, all of the doctors in the practice have a unit readily available when they respond to emergency calls (as shown in the photo). The defibrillators cost around £2,500 each, but when they can save lives, it is money very well spent.
The Friends and staff of the Health Centre take this oppurtunity to thank the generous patients who have donated funds to make all of this possible.
If you would like to join the Friends, membership forms are available at the foot of our notice board in the waiting area of the Health Centre. For further information, please contact the Friends Hon. Secretary, Sara Rhodes on 01379 898642.