Frequently Asked Questions

What is BBAG?
Bartlet Bequest Action Group set up to keep the Bartlet Convalescent Home open and returned to the people of East Suffolk.

What are BBAG objectives?
To retain the Bartlet as a convalescent home in line with John Henry Bartlet's 1914 Will and by the court order made on 17th March 1924.

What is happening to the Bartlet Convalescent Home?
Suffolk Primary Care Trust is selling off the Bartlet with the agreement of the Government Health Minister Patricia Hewitt.  The PCT is in talks with three independent companies to develop the site. The Bartlet is being sold for £1.95m when its book value is at least £3m. It is unlikely that the community will benefit from the money raised and which will be used to clear their multi-million pound debts.  

Who owns the Bartlet Convalescent Home?
Currently it is managed by the Suffolk Coastal Primary Care Trust. John Henry Bartlet bequeathed the home and money to keep it running in perpetuity for the good of the people. The home belongs to the people living in the area covered by the 1934 East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital Region.  It was run by Ipswich Consultants until the late 1990s but the Government insist that they now own the home and can dispose of it since there is the General Hospital under 300m away.  However, the Bartlet was set up for the specific purpose of convalescence for the wider community and not a Hospital serving Felixstowe.

What areas would benefit from the Bartlet Convalescent home remaining open?
The original map of East Suffolk & Ipswich Hospital circa 1934 stretches from Stowmarket, around the east coast, up to Halesworth and around into North Essex, including Dovercourt and Harwich.  This covers 5 district council areas and the Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk Health Care Trusts.

Who was John Henry Bartlet?
John Henry was a Surgeon based at Ipswich Hospital.  He was also the son of an Ipswich surgeon and therefore had a good understanding of healthcare and the need for convalescent care. Before he died aged 87, he made a will that made provision of a convalescent home as he identified the gap in the general care of patients.   The Care in the Community project cannot provide the specialist care that the Bartlet can which reflects the problems experienced by the people in 1914 when John first wrote his Will.

What happened to the money?
John Henry left £250k in stocks and shares when he died in 1917 to be used for the provision of the Bartlet; the Trust money transferred in 1947 has vanished without a trace. Financial records from the NHS were not kept until 1996!  The bank that the money was in has no record of where the money has gone.  

Why are we lodging a high court claim?
To fight for the right to keep the Bartlet’s future as a convalescent home for the people of East Suffolk.  

How can I help support BBAG?
1. Make a pledge or donation to help meet the £55k fighting fund.
2. Join the BBAG committee or become a ‘Friend of the Bartlet’ and be kept informed of events, promotions and news on the legal fight.
3. Write to your local councillor(s) and MP and go to see them at surgeries.  Tell them that your vote depends on their support of community matters including keeping the Bartlet for convalescent use.

What will happen if the legal challenge is successful?
A trust will be set up to run the home to provide convalescent care; perhaps even subcontracting from the NHS.

Who would benefit from the Bartlet remaining open?
All communities served by Heath Road Hospital, Ipswich including all of Suffolk Coastal District, Mid Suffolk District, Ipswich Borough and Babergh District.

Who can I contact for more details or to make a donation?
Check the website regularly: www.bbag.felixstowecommunity.co.uk
Email: savethebartlet@yahoo.com
Write to: Bartlet Bequest Action Group, c/o Cygnus House, Orion Court, Great Blakenham, Suffolk IP6 0RL.

For a pledge form click here for pdf file and click on ‘Print’ and return to the address given above.
For a Bartlet Care Supporter form click here for pdf file and click on ‘Print’ and return to the address on the form.

Other Links:
Felixstowe TV: www.felixstowetv.co.uk
Suntrapman: www.suntrapman.org.uk