Fakenham’s out-of-hours GP service could be axed as Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board looks to cut expenses

A town’s out-of-hours GP service could close as part of a health board’s bid to save public money.

The Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) has revealed its options to tackle its current financial challenges.

The other options look at closing or reducing the hours at Norwich Walk-in Centre, or reorganising the Vulnerable Adults Health Inclusion Hub.

If the decision is made to axe some of the area’s face-to-face GP services instead of the other choices, the ICB has presented three different scenarios.

Option A:

• Keep the opening hours the same for Lynn, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, North Walsham and Thetford.

• Close Lowestoft during the week and keep it open on weekends, but change the opening hours so that it closes at 4pm instead of 8pm.

• Close the bases in Beccles, Dereham and Fakenham.

Option B:

• Keep the opening hours the same for Lynn, Norwich, Great Yarmouth.

• Close North Walsham, Thetford and Lowestoft during the week.

• Keep North Walsham and Thetford open on weekends, but change the opening hours so that they close at 10pm instead of being open all night until 8am.

• Keep Lowestoft open on weekends but change the opening hours so that it closes at 4pm instead of 8pm.

• Close Beccles, Dereham and Fakenham.

Option C:

• Keep the opening hours the same for Lynn, Norwich, Great Yarmouth.

• Close North Walsham, Thetford, Lowestoft, Beccles, Dereham and Fakenham.

The ICB says that in the past ten years, the opening hours for most services have remained mostly the same, but the number of people using them has dropped.

In 2019, 842 people used Fakenham’s urgent treatment provider. However, last year, it plummeted to 29.

If it shuts, patients would have to travel further if they needed a face-to-face appointment.

“We are here to serve you the best we can with the money available, so we want to know your views about the potential changes,” said executive medical director, Dr Frankie Swords.

A survey has been launched for people to have their say on what happens, with the consultation period ending on Sunday, May 25 - it can be found at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/02D188/