'Logical' to keep at-risk walk-in centre open

An NHS walk-in centre in Norfolk which faced being closed down or having its opening hours reduced in a bid to save as much as £1.5m a year will remain open for now.

The facility in Norwich was one of three services NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) considered reviewing in a bid to save money.

Changes to its out-of-hours GP service and Vulnerable Adults Service were also explored, with patients asked for their views as part of a consultation.

Ed Garratt, interim chief executive of the ICB, said all proposals had been taken off the table and a U-turn at this stage made "logical sense".

"The strategic direction of the ICB is to increase 'neighbourhood' level services and improve access to primary care," he added.

He said the decision was in line with the government's 10-year national plan to shift resources from acute to community services, treatment to prevention and analogue to digital services.

"It therefore makes logical sense to end this consultation and take stock of plans once the 10 Year Plan has been published," he said.

The walk-in centre, at Rouen House, in Rouen Road, is used by about 72,000 people every year and previously faced closure in 2023 before a new contract was agreed.

But in March, the ICB said it was once again reviewing its future as it faced a £280m gap in its budget.

It said closing the service would free up £1.5m a year while opening only in the morning would save £750,000, with the money saved being put towards GP services.

Sadie Parker, director of primary care for the ICB, said the government's drive to address the challenges facing the NHS had encouraged them to reconsider.

She suggested the under-threat services could potentially play a key role in realising the government's goal of "developing a neighbourhood health service".

"The situation has changed and we are expecting further national guidance on this which will help inform how we plan for and provide local health services," she said.

The news of the U-turn has been welcomed by Norwich city councillor, Lucy Galvin, who sits on Norfolk's health overview and scrutiny committee.

"This was a hard-fought campaign and I am so glad to see it has resulted in this complete change of heart," she said.

"These services for the most vulnerable should never, ever have been under threat.

"I have seen first hand the patients and professionals who have been deeply concerned over the past few years. Now we need to see stable, transparent funding for these vital services."

Alex Stewart, chief executive of Healthwatch Norfolk, said he was "pleased" the services would continue to operate.

"There was a concern the loss of the walk-in centre could have had a devastating impact on A&E units.

"As of this morning we had received 3,540 responses to the consultation around the walk-in centre and GP out-of-hours service, and 207 around the vulnerable adults service," he said.

"The overwhelming majority felt the walk-in centre was a vital care safety net for those who either struggled to get an appointment from their GP or felt their condition was not serious enough for them to attend accident and emergency.

"We have no doubt today's decision will reassure the many people who responded to our survey."

Ahead of announcing the walk-in centre would no longer be closed, the ICB had encouraged residents to attend drop-in sessions at King's Lynn Town Hall on Monday, The Forum in Norwich on Tuesday, Blyburgate Hall in Beccles on Wednesday and Lowestoft Community Hub on Thursday to share their views.

These have now been cancelled.

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