Six GP surgeries across Norfolk and Waveney will receive Government funding as part of a nationwide initiative to improve NHS buildings and infrastructure.
The Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund 2025-2026 was announced during the 2024 spending review, with £102 million set aside for Integrated Care Boards across the country to make upgrades to the existing primary care estate.
Increased capacity
The funding is aimed at enhancing the current infrastructure at GP surgeries, as well as creating additional space and enabling surgeries to offer more patient appointments.
Over 1,000 surgeries were announced on 6 May as being in line to benefit, allowing a potential 8.3 million more appointments to be created nationally this year.
The programme of improvements will be delivered during the 2025 to 2026 financial year, with the first upgrades expected to begin in summer 2025.
Local surgeries to benefit
The six Norfolk and Waveney surgeries receiving the funding are:
- Bridge Street Surgery, Downham Market
- Lawson Road Surgery, Norwich
- Prospect Medical Practice, Norwich
- Rosedale Surgery, Lowestoft
- The Humbleyard Practice (Cringleford Surgery)
- Woodcock Road Surgery, Norwich
As part of the upgrade plans Prospect Medical Practice in Norwich, which serves nearly 7,000 patients, has announced it will create new clinical rooms to deliver more patient consultations.
Improving patient experience
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, said: “We know more needs to be done to improve patient access to general practice and this investment in over 1,000 primary care premises will help do this.
“Bringing GP premises up to a similar condition across England is important to improve patient experience of NHS services, while making primary care a better working environment as we seek to retain and recruit more staff.
“It will also help to create additional space and extend the capacity of current premises as we improve access further and bring care closer to the communities where people live as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.”
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