Locals express concern over closure of GP surgery

Toftwood Medical Centre provided good care but the building was too small for the population it served, the board said

More than 150 people attended a public meeting to express their concerns over plans to shut a GP surgery.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) said Toftwood Medical Centre, near Dereham, Norfolk, provided good care but the building was too small for the population it served and needed upgrading.

Patients said it felt as if the decision to close the surgery had already been made despite the consultation into the plan continuing until 21 November.

The ICB said: "No decision has been made about the future of Toftwood Medical Centre. The consultation runs until 21 November 2024 and we would encourage people to share their views with us if they haven’t already."

Paul Catling and Belinda Aldiss fear the change will lead to longer waits for appointments

If the ICB's plan was to go ahead 4,000 patients would transfer to Orchard Surgery and Theatre Royal Surgery in Dereham on 1 April 2025.

Paul Catling and Belinda Aldiss would both be affected by the plan to close the surgery in different ways.

Mr Catling is a patient at Toftwood and faces being transferred to another GP practice in Dereham.

He said: "There's a lot of bad feeling and anger. It's just unbelievable. The surgeries in Dereham just won't cope."

Ms Aldiss is a patient at the Theatre Royal surgery which is where people like Mr Catling would be treated if Toftwood surgery closes.

She said she was disappointed with the meeting.

"[The ICB] didn't know how to answer the questions properly.

"They keep saying the done deal hasn't been done, but I think it probably has."

Ms Aldiss said it already takes too long to get an appointment.

"I took my mum to the Theatre Royal surgery for an [electrocardiogram] ECG. She had to have a follow up appointment.

"They said I'm sorry but we can't get you in for another month. That's a bit disgusting."

'No decision has been made'

Many of the questions from the residents focused on why a new agreement to lease the Toftwood Medical Centre Building had not been reached.

The ICB said it had struggled to reach the landlord to talk about plans for the future, including expanding the site.

Another meeting has been planned on 20 November between the ICB and the landlord of Toftwood Medical Centre, facilitated by George Freeman, the Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk.

The ICB said it would go into that meeting with "an open mind".

It said: “We are grateful to all the members of the local community who have shared their views about the proposal, including those who came to the public meeting."