Norfolk man who had life saved by walk-in centre, urges health bosses not to close it
A public consultation into the future of Rouen Road's facilities, organised by NHS Norfolk and Waveney, closed yesterday evening
Last updated 26th Mar 2023
A man from Norfolk whose life was saved by staff at Norwich's walk-In centre is urging local health bosses not to close it down.
It's as a public consultation into the future of Rouen Road's facilities, organised by NHS Norfolk and Waveney, closed yesterday evening
"He then said to me, you need to get to hospital"
Kajik lives in Trunch and was there last July
He says it's worth the cost:
"When we got there at 8am there was already a queue outside and the doctor triaged me and said we need to see you fairly quickly. He took me in and checked my heart. He then said to me, you need to get to hospital.
"It takes the pressure off A&E because there will be people that arrive there and have minor issues that they can sort there and then, meaning they are then not clogging up GPs or the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital".
"I think it's a necessity. We don't have a lot of Hospitals within easy reach"
"I think just looking at the queue there, it's obviously a place that's well used. I would say it's a necessity because otherwise at a weekend you have got to go to accident or emergency, and there'll be a long wait.".
He told us about when he first heard that it could be closing down in the near future:
"I was quite shocked- especially after what they did for me. I'm just one of forty people that were there then.
"Even if it's just a small amount of those people that they can help, I think it's a necessity. We don't have a lot of Hospitals within easy reach".
What have local Health bosses said?
NHS Norfolk and Waveney says:
"It needs to meet the increasing patient demand, ensure everyone has equal access to services, make sure the limited workforce are used in the best way and achieve value-for-money
"GP practices are open longer and community pharmacies offer services that were not available when the walk-in centre was first established
"The NHS strategy is to move away from walk-in centres and provide healthcare help in other ways
"NHS Norfolk and Waveney wants to be more pro-active when helping people who struggle to access health care or are vulnerable."