Latest news with #SadieParker
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'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. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. NHS walk-in centre faces closure or a cut in hours Walk-in centre firm had "inadequate management" City walk-in health centre under closure threat NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB)
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Government asked to review possible Norfolk and Suffolk NHS cuts
The health secretary will be asked to intervene over possible cutbacks and closures to health services in Norfolk and Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) is holding a consultation about proposed changes to out-of-hours services, the Norwich walk-in centre and services for vulnerable Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) has decided to write to the government over concerns about a lack of evidence for the ICB – which is trying to make savings of £150m – said changes to services could save just over £1.6m and it was "vital we hear from local people". Under the plans, bases used to provide out-of-hours care could be shut and the walk-in centre closed or have its opening hours reduced to four hours a is also consulting on proposals to change its vulnerable adults surgery to an outreach service, rather than being solely based in Norwich. Green councillor Lucy Galvin described the current consultation as "not fit for purpose"."It does not explain where its options came from or what their impact could be," she said."There is no transparency on the finances or evidence that the proposals will not hit the most vulnerable the hardest."She added more than 1,000 people had signed a petition against shutting the walk-in centre, which has been under threat of closure the consultation was launched, ICB primary care director Sadie Parker said the board was looking to "get the best value of public money" while conceding the changes would have "a real impact on people"."This is why it is vital we hear from local people about the options we are considering before we make any decisions," she added. Concerns have been raised about all three proposed Stewart from Healthwatch Norfolk said closing the walk-in centre, which sees about 72,000 patients a year, could have serious knock-on effects."You could end up costing the system more if people end up having to go to A&E departments," he warned."Potentially they could implode."HOSC councillors voted to write to Health Secretary Wes Streeting to "issue a preliminary call-in" and ask him to review the guidance for interventions by ministers states call-ins should only be used in "exceptional situations where a local resolution has not been reached". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Out-of-hours GP bases under threat due to costs
Out-of-hours GP services could be closed as an NHS provider looks to make £150m of savings. NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) currently has nine bases - including King's Lynn and Thetford - as well as in Beccles and Lowestoft in Suffolk. Sadie Parker, director of primary care for the ICB, said it took decisions "seriously" as it launched a public consultation to gather views on the proposals. "We know that changing how and where services are provided has a real impact on people," she said. She added: "This is why it is vital we hear from local people about the options we are considering before we make any decisions." The plans could see the number of bases reduced to either five or three and both options would also involve the closure of at least Dereham, Fakenham and Beccles. Another option being considered would see Norwich's walk-in centre left open, but on reduced hours. All three options could save between £75,000 and £120,000, largely helped by the reduction in rent for the bases, the ICB said. The board argued that the overall number of patients being seen across the bases had fallen from 55,000 in 2019 to 39,000 in 2024. It blamed inflation and an aging population on reasons behind the proposals, while more people were making use of NHS 111. The Labour MP for Lowestoft, Jess Asato, said she was "appalled" that Lowestoft and Beccles faced "the loss of vital NHS services". She said she feared it meant people needing urgent care at night would have "nowhere local to turn". "I know how much people in Lowestoft, Beccles, and the surrounding villages value their local NHS services, and I will not stand by while they are stripped away," she added. "We need investment in our health services, not cuts that leave our communities behind." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. MPs oppose plan to cut city's NHS walk-in service NHS walk-in centre faces closure or a cut in hours GP surgery in Norfolk to close despite opposition Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS walk-in centre faces closure or a 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. Walk-in centre firm had "inadequate management" NHS firm hired paedophile top doctor as adviser City walk-in health centre under closure threat NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Health System
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
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 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 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 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 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 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.
