Practice history

We can trace our roots back to 1890 when the practice was founded by Dr John Galletly who practised at The Doctor's House, Doctor's Lane, Rippingale.  In 1897 he moved to The Doctor's House, Doctor's Yard, North Road, Bourne, near to the present bus station.  In 1907 he built a home at 40 North Road from where he practised until his retirement in 1928. He continued to live at the house until his death in 1936.  His son, Dr John Alexander Galletly, known as Dr Alistair, succeeded him in practice at 40 North Road in 1928 and worked there until his retirement in 1969.  He was also Medical Officer of Kestevan until 1964 and was a County Councillor. He died in 1993.

Dr Alistair had a sister, Ruth Finn, who was also a doctor.  She ran the only other practice in town (now the Hereward Group Practice) for Dr Holloway while he was serving in the 1939-45 war.  On his return Dr Finn became the local Public Health Physician.

Dr John Galletly's wife, Caroline, was the first woman County Councillor in Bourne and Galletly Close is named after her.

On his retirement Dr Alistair's Partners, Dr Cecil Sweetnam and Dr Geoff Smith, moved the practice to shared accommodation with the town's other practice at The Health Centre, St Gilbert's Road.  However by the mid 1990's, with rising local population, more doctors and the increased range of services offered, the practice had outgrown these premises. Fortunately the Galletly Practice was able to purchase Dr Galletly's old home at 40 North Road, converting and extending it into a modern medical centre with disabled access and facilities.  We moved to these premises in September 1996.

More historical information can be found on Dr Galletly, the early Practice & Bourne in the article "A Country Practice" by his son John Galletly.