Ipswich woman's concerns over buses to Two Rivers GP surgery

Diana Spencer lives in a retirement housing complex in Renfrew Road, close to Rushmere St Andrew.  

She said that she and her neighbours, many of whom do not have their own cars, would like to be able to take the bus to GP appointments at their local practice, Two Rivers Medical Centre in Woodbridge Road East in Ipswich.

The number 6 service departs from Renfrew Road twice hourly, but does not stop directly outside the surgery. 

For people with mobility issues, this distance means that they are unable to use the bus service, and so rely on taxis. 

Mrs Spencer said that the 200m between Ipswich Hospital and her GP surgery is too far for her to walk, meaning she relies on taxis to get her to the doctors. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“I’m relying on taxis all the time,” said Mrs Spencer.

“If it so happens that they [the GP surgery] want you to have an appointment when the schools are going in or out, you can’t get a taxi because the taxis are all out on school runs.” 

The Ipswich Star took these concerns to Suffolk County Council.

Whilst there are not currently plans for bus routes to accommodate Two Rivers Medical Centre, a spokesman explained that there were other options available, such as the Connecting Communities service which runs around Ipswich. 

If a journey starts in Ipswich and public transport is not available, the resident can be collected and transported to an appropriate bus or rail station. 

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: “The Connecting Communities service is delivered in partnership with Suffolk Community Transport Operators to help people without access to a regular bus service to travel around the county – for example, to college, work, the shops or medical appointments. 

“The service is available Monday-Saturday from 7am to 7pm. Journeys can be booked online at communities.suffolkonboard.com or by phone.” 

Dan Bassett, Ipswich Buses managing director, said: “Although there isn’t a service directly from Dundee House to the Medical Centre, the Rushmere Rider (Number 6) operates every 30 minutes Mondays to Saturdays for part of this journey.

"A resident wishing to travel to Two Rivers Medical Centre from Dundee House can board this service at the bus stop immediately outside Dundee House on Renfrew Road and disembark at the Crofton Road or Woodbridge Road (East) stop for a short walk to the Medical Centre.

“Our network of bus services in Ipswich is under regular review and we welcome suggestions for improvement."