Norwich healthcare should be investigated by NHS, say councillors

Councillors have called for an NHS England investigation after a healthcare firm announced it would stop running services at the end of 2023.

One Norwich Practices has said it is not "operationally sustainable" to continue running services including the city's walk-in centre.

NHS commissioners in Norfolk say they are confident of finding an alternative provider to run the services.

Norwich City Council's Green Party opposition called for an investigation.

Lucy Galvin, leader of the group, said "a full investigation into the board and the management of the service" was needed.

"It's potentially a disaster for healthcare in the city as there will be a huge knock-on effect on all other local provision - many practices will struggle to fill in the gaps, as will A&E at the hospital," said Ms Galvin.

"Serious concerns have been raised with me that the board has been chaotic, that there were no clear pathways for finance, that there was a huge turnover of staff and poor management."

One Norwich Practice has 10,000 people registered with its GP practice and sees some 120,000 patients a year from the city, across its services.

The services include the Norwich Walk-In Centre in Rouen Road; Norwich Practices Health Centre; the Vulnerable Adults Service; and the local Lymphoedema Service and Asthma in Schools pilot.

In a joint statement from Norwich South Labour MP Clive Lewis and Alice Macdonald, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Norwich North, they both said the announcement was "concerning".

"We will be urgently seeking reassurances from [NHS commissioners] that a clear plan of action is in place so that people have the health services they need and there is clarity for staff over their jobs," they said.

A spokesperson for the NHS commissioner, The Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (NWICB), said: "Teams from across the ICB have been working closely with colleagues from One Norwich Practices to support the organisation to continue to provide services in line with their contracted activity."

Asked about the Green leader's accusations of "mismanagement by the board", One Norwich Practices said: "It would not be appropriate at this time to put forward someone for interview as this is very much a work in progress."

In February about 6,000 people signed a petition against the possible closure of the walk-in centre in Rouen Road.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830