Based on the feedback we have received so far during the engagement around these services, we are pleased with the news they will continue to operate.
As of this morning (May 19), we had received 3540 responses to the consultation around the Walk-In Centre and GP Out Of Hours Service, and 207 around the Vulnerable Adults Service.
Norwich Walk-In Centre
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.
While we are acutely aware of the financial challenges facing NHS Norfolk and Waveney, there was a concern the loss of the walk-in centre could have had a devastating impact on A and E units across the county.
If only 35 per cent of the 72,800 people who seek help from the walk-in centre annually attended A and E, this would have overwhelmed the hard-working staff working in those units across Norfolk.
We have no doubt todays decision will reassure the many people who responded to our survey, which saw us receive submissions from the public, surgeries, Patient Participation Groups which are the bridge between communities and their GP practice, and North Norfolk District Council, although the East of England Ambulance Trust was supportive of the closure with Chief Executive Neil Moloney saying: “We believe closing it and redistributing £1.5m more to GP practices would provide greater benefits across Norfolk and Waveney.”
While welcoming the news, we also reinforce a point made in our formal response that we would also welcome a greater emphasis on communicating where people can go for help e.g. 111 and Pharmacy First which we would be happy to support by spreading the word.
This would make sure the people of Norfolk are aware of where they can get care and support without needing to use A and E in hospitals.
GP Out Of Hours Care
There were also concerns raised by a number of communities around the Out Of Hours Care service changes resulting in a possible ‘postcode lottery’ where ability to access them depends on where you live.
While there have been improvements in public transport, there are inevitably still gaps and evening transport services are also challenging, so it is good news for patients that proposed reductions in hours and/or closures of bases are being stopped.
Patients and representatives of rural communities were concerned. This was echoed in the formal response by North Norfolk District Council which said: “We would question what rural impact assessment has been made of any of the proposals given that it would appear that rural communities are hugely disadvantaged through all of the proposals while the service is retained in the larger urban areas where other services are more widely available.
“North Norfolk’s rural communities appear to be significantly disadvantaged by these proposals.”
Vulnerable Adults Service
Healthwatch Norfolk also knows from its own work how valuable the Vulnerable Adults Service is.
While its future is safe, our team will continue with a planned week of engagement with users of it this week.
We felt this was a valuable opportunity to hear from them about how they use it, and we will share this feedback with NHS Norfolk and Waveney and publish our findings to help shape how it develops in the future.
Thank you
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in the survey and share their insight and experiences on all these services.
