Share your views on changes to Norwich Walk-In Centre and the GP Out Of Hours Service
NHS Norfolk and Waveney want to hear your views about proposed changes to the Norwich Walk-In Centre and Norfolk’s GP Out Of Hours Service.
NHS Norfolk and Waveney says it has a £280m gap in its services for the next financial year. It says the causes of this include higher inflation making equipment and supplies more expensive, and people are living longer which can mean they require more NHS treatment.
It says it is aiming to be as efficient as possible but it will also need to make savings. NHS Norfolk and Waveney is keen to hear about two of its services – the Norwich Walk-In Centre, and the GP out-of-hours service which covers Norfolk and Waveney. It is launching a survey to get your views. Healthwatch Norfolk will then analyse the findings of the survey, designed by NHS Norfolk and Waveney, and will report back with recommendations.
Norwich Walk-In Centre
It currently provides 6000 appointments a month. NHS figures suggest it is busiest on weekend mornings, and between 9am and 11am on weekdays.
Officials are suggesting two options for its future:
A – Close it and give £1.5m to GP surgeries to help those patients with the greatest need.
B – Reduce the opening hours to four hours every morning and give £750,000 to GP surgeries to help those patients with the greatest need.
The GP Out of Hours Service
The GP Out of Hours Service provides patients with urgent access to GP support when surgeries are closed. This is just for urgent treatment and not routine care. You can get help via this service through calling 111.
You can currently get help by phone, a home visit, or by visiting one of 10 bases across Norfolk and Waveney.
Health officials are suggesting the following options for its future:
A – Reduce the number of bases for face-to-face appointments from nine to five during the week and six at weekends. This would mean:
Keeping the opening hours the same for King’s Lynn, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, North Walsham and Thetford.
Close Lowestoft during the week but open on weekend until 4pm, not 8pm.
Close the bases in Beccles, Dereham, and Long Stratton.
B – Reduce the number of bases for face-to-face appointments from nine to three during the week and six at the weekend. This would mean:
Keeping the opening hours the same for King’s Lynn, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
Close North Walsham, Thetford and Lowestoft during the week.
Keep North Walsham and Thetford open at weekends but closing at 10pm rather than operating through the night.
Keep Lowestoft open on weekend but close it at 4pm rather than 8pm.
Close Beccles, Dereham, and Fakenham.
Option C – Reduce the number of bases for face-to-face appointments from nine to three. This would mean:
Keep the opening hours the same for King’s Lynn, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
Close North Walsham, Thetford, Lowestoft, Beccles, Dereham, and Fakenham.
How do I share my feedback?
You can share your views in a number of ways. You can click the link below to take part in a short online survey
Request a paper copy of the survey by calling NHS Norfolk and Waveney on 01603 595857 or by emailing [email protected]
Because of the calling of some council by-elections, face-to-face engagement has been cancelled.
In the period immediately before an election, restrictions are placed on the use of public resources and the communication activities of public bodies. This is to avoid the actions of public bodies distracting from or having influence on election campaigns.
This means drop-in sessions have had to be cancelled until after these elections have been held.
What happens after I have shared feedback?
Because of the delays to engagement due to the recently called by-election, the date to receive feedback will be extended. You can now share it until 11.59pm on May 25.
Each piece will be individually analysed by the Healthwatch Norfolk team and a full independent consultation report published.
This report will then be considered by the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Board.
More information about why this is happening
Find out more about this consultation from NHS Norfolk and Waveney’s executive medical director Dr Frankie Swords in the video below.
