3 days Ago
A crunch decision on closing the region's only walk-in centre amid a raft of NHS cuts could be delayed. NHS bosses are considering shutting down the Norwich Walk-in Centre in Rouen Road as part of a host of cost-cutting measures. Health leaders had planned to make a decision on its future in June, with changes set to see the centre either close or have its opening hours slashed to just four hours a day.
But this could now be pushed back due to the resignations of three councillors triggering an upcoming by-election. Events as part of the public consultation into the changes - which would also see cuts made to the out-of-hours GP service and the vulnerable adults service - have been postponed as a result. The drop-in sessions, at which members of the public were able to quiz NHS representatives and voice their concerns, were due to be held in King's Lynn, Norwich, Beccles and Lowestoft next week.
However, these are now set to be held in May - although exact dates are yet to be confirmed. The public consultation, which launched on March 3, is also set to be extended until after these have been held. Officials did not, however, confirm whether the decision date would also be pushed back.
A spokesman for NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: "In the period immediately before an election, restrictions are placed on the use of public resources and the communication activities of public bodies. "This is to avoid the actions of public bodies distracting from or having influence on election campaigns." The upcoming by-elections, which will be held in May, will see just three seats on Norfolk County Council contested.
They come after Green councillor Jamie Osborn (Mancroft) stepped down for family reasons, Labour's Terry Jermy (Thetford West) resigned to focus on his role as an MP and Conservative Julian Kirk (Marshland North) defected to Reform UK. There will also be a by-election for three seats on Norwich City Council on May 1, to replace Mr Osborn in Mancroft, Gillian Francis in Sewell and Peter Prinsley in Bowthorpe..
