Norwich walk-in centre firm to close over finances

The firm running Norwich's walk-in centre on Rouen Road is to close due to financial sustainability

A firm that runs a walk-in centre and healthcare in Norwich will close due to financial issues, according to the city's health commissioners.

The Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (NWICB) confirmed One Norwich Practices would not be providing services including the walk-in centre in Rouen Road after 2023.

One Norwich Practices said it could not remain "operationally sustainable".

The NWICB said it would attempt to "secure alternative providers".

Paul Wood, interim chief executive of One Norwich Practices, said: "We will not be making any statutory redundancies until we know the outcome of the service transfer plans."

A statutory 45-day consultation period with staff would also take place.

One Norwich Practices added that it "cannot remain financially and operationally sustainable beyond 2023".

Tracey Bleakley, chief executive at NWICB, said: "Our priority now is to minimise the level of disruption to patient services and ensure that patients are able to receive the care they need."

An NHS spokesperson added it would "secure alternative providers to take on the full suite of services that [One Norwich] were contracted to deliver."

Healthwatch Norfolk said the city walk-in centre fulfilled an essential role in easing pressure on other NHS services

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

Current GP contracts for the facility were supposed to end in spring 2024.

A Healthwatch Norfolk report into the centre said in February that it "offers excellent value for money, but is operating at a loss".

'Changing quickly'

In a statement, Healthwatch said it was "very concerned" about the announcement and wanted to see more details on how patient care would be preserved.

"Just 12 months ago, One Norwich was forecasting a growth in turnover and income, and an ambition to develop new services," the group said.

"A lot appears to have changed in that time."

One Norwich Practices runs Norwich Practices Health Centre; Norwich Walk-in Centre; the Vulnerable Adults Service; the Lymphoedema Service and Asthma in Schools pilot in Norwich and the surrounding areas, as well as other targeted patient services.