Norfolk MP says he's asked for an "urgent meeting" over planned GP closure
Local health bosses say Toftwood Medical Centre- in Dereham is too small and needs to be upgraded
One of Norfolk's MPs is telling us that he's asked for an urgent meeting with NHS England, to try and find a long-term solution to the planned closure of a GP surgery, in the south of Dereham
Local health bosses say Toftwood Medical Centre is too small and needs to be upgraded.
With it being suggested that patients should be transferred to neighbouring surgeries ahead of April 1st.
"Need to see an expanded community health hub in the south of Dereham"
George Freeman represents Mid Norfolk:
He says this comes at the worst time for the town:
"Toftwood is the fastest growing part of Dereham. There are already many local people struggling to get access to GP services and that's before the town experiences more housing growth that will put extra pressure on local provision".
"We therefore need to see an expanded community health hub in the south of Dereham. There are one or two obvious sites for this, including the Fred Nicholson School site which has a very large space to offer".
What have NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB said?
The organisation says Toftwood Medical Centre provides "good quality services" but are facing "a range of challenges and issues".
The ICB say they are working to the terms of the previous lease of the current building- which is owned by a private landlord- but a new lease is yet to be agreed.
Six potential sites are said to have been short-listed as possible temporary homes for this surgery, as renovation work to the current site is carried out.
However, none of them have been deemed suitable- either because they too expensive or aren't available
Therefore- The ICB are proposing that closing Toftwood Medical Centre and moving patients registered to either Orchard Surgery or Theatre Royal Surgery on 1 April 2025
"It is vital we hear from the local community about the proposal"
Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said:
"We know that the practice provides good care to its patients, however it is important we look to the future and how we can best provide general practice services to the community," she said.
"We know that changing how and where services are provided can have a real impact on people, so we take these decisions seriously.
"This is why it is vital we hear from the local community about the proposal and what impact it would have before we make any decisions."