NHS walk-in centre in Norwich faces closure or a big cut in hours
An NHS walk-in centre could be closed or have its opening hours cut to just four hours a day.The centre in Norwich – which sees about 72,000 patients a year – faced closure in 2023 before a new contract was agreed to keep it running. NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it was reviewing the future of the service as it faced a £280m gap in its budget.City councillor Lucy Galvin warned that cutting back the service would be a "massive, painful cut that risks doing more harm than good".
The ICB said more patients were getting treatment and advice from GPs or pharmacists under the Pharmacy First scheme.It said that closing the service in Rouen Road 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.Launching a consultation on the proposals, Sadie Parker, director of primary care for NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: "We are always looking at what we do and how we can get the best value for the public money that we spend."The ICB said it was also reviewing how many of its nine out-of-hours treatment sites would remain open, as well as its vulnerable adults service, which supports those such as homeless people, sex workers and refugees.It said it was considering closing the service's base in Norwich and creating a team "that goes to different communities across Norfolk and Waveney".
Galvin, who sits on Norfolk's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, warned that cuts to the walk-in centre could lead to more pressure on hospitals."Will this cut actually save money or will sick people simply go to the hospital accident and emergency instead?" she said."Two years ago, over 3,000 people were consulted on closing the centre, and the clear response was that these services are crucial."Healthwatch Norfolk's Alex Stewart said previous proposals to close the centre had seen a strong reaction from the public who showed "there is a consensus that the walk-in centre is really needed".He added: "It's not just used by people from Norwich – people from all over the county go there."The consultation on the proposed changes is set to run until 27 April, with the final decision due to be made in June.
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
44 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Dentists slam Welsh Government's NHS dental reforms
The British Dental Association Cymru has warned the Welsh Government that the changes could lead to an exodus from the workforce and should be paused for further trials. The proposed reforms aim to improve oral health, increase prevention, and provide better value for money. However, a survey indicates that only two per cent of dentists believe the changes will support NHS dentistry's sustainability. Just five per cent agree the reforms will enhance prevention, and eight per cent think they will improve access to NHS care. A significant concern is the shift in patient appointments to up to 24 months apart, which could limit early disease detection, including oral cancers. The changes also propose moving patients to a centralised database, potentially fragmenting family care. The reforms are expected to be introduced next year.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Women with genetic cancer risk being ‘missed' due to testing gaps
A lack of testing for Lynch syndrome also means some cancer patients are unaware of their risk of developing other cancers, academics said. Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that fixes mistakes in DNA when it is copied, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Patients with bowel or womb cancer should have their tumours assessed for markers of Lynch syndrome, according to guidance for the NHS. If these markers are identified, patients should be referred for genetic testing so the diagnosis can be confirmed and they can get support and advice about cancer risk for themselves and their family. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. We have launched a Guide to #LynchSyndrome to help provide information and support to anyone who thinks they may have it, that it may run in the family, or have found out they have — The Eve Appeal (@eveappeal) February 13, 2023 They found that 91% of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64%) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48% of those eligible went on to get the test. Today's #LynchSyndromeAwarenessDay. Our policy team sat down with our supporter, Jane, to share her experience. As well as highlighting what else needs to be done to improve Lynch syndrome care. Read our blog: — Bowel Cancer UK (@bowelcanceruk) March 22, 2025 Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Women with genetic cancer risk being ‘missed' due to testing gaps
A lack of testing for Lynch syndrome also means some cancer patients are unaware of their risk of developing other cancers, academics said. Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that fixes mistakes in DNA when it is copied, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Patients with bowel or womb cancer should have their tumours assessed for markers of Lynch syndrome, according to guidance for the NHS. If these markers are identified, patients should be referred for genetic testing so the diagnosis can be confirmed and they can get support and advice about cancer risk for themselves and their family. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. We have launched a Guide to #LynchSyndrome to help provide information and support to anyone who thinks they may have it, that it may run in the family, or have found out they have — The Eve Appeal (@eveappeal) February 13, 2023 They found that 91% of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64%) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48% of those eligible went on to get the test. Today's #LynchSyndromeAwarenessDay. Our policy team sat down with our supporter, Jane, to share her experience. As well as highlighting what else needs to be done to improve Lynch syndrome care. Read our blog: — Bowel Cancer UK (@bowelcanceruk) March 22, 2025 Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
