Government to be asked to review possible NHS cuts

The health secretary will be asked to intervene over possible cutbacks and closures to health services in Norfolk and Suffolk.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) is holding a consultation about proposed changes to out-of-hours services, the Norwich walk-in centre and services for vulnerable adults.

Norfolk's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) has decided to write to the government over concerns about a lack of evidence for the plans.

The ICB – which is trying to make savings of £150m – said changes to services could save just over £1.6m and it was "vital we hear from local people".

Under the plans, bases used to provide out-of-hours care could be shut and the walk-in centre closed or have its opening hours reduced to four hours a day.

It is also consulting on proposals to change its vulnerable adults surgery to an outreach service, rather than being solely based in Norwich.

Green councillor Lucy Galvin described the current consultation as "not fit for purpose".

"It does not explain where its options came from or what their impact could be," she said.

"There is no transparency on the finances or evidence that the proposals will not hit the most vulnerable the hardest."

She added more than 1,000 people had signed a petition against shutting the walk-in centre, which has been under threat of closure before.

When the consultation was launched, ICB primary care director Sadie Parker said the board was looking to "get the best value of public money" while conceding the changes would have "a real impact on people".

"This is why it is vital we hear from local people about the options we are considering before we make any decisions," she added.

Concerns have been raised about all three proposed changes.

Alex Stewart from Healthwatch Norfolk said closing the walk-in centre, which sees about 72,000 patients a year, could have serious knock-on effects.

"You could end up costing the system more if people end up having to go to A&E departments," he warned.

"Potentially they could implode."

HOSC councillors voted to write to Health Secretary Wes Streeting to "issue a preliminary call-in" and ask him to review the consultation.

Government guidance for interventions by ministers states call-ins should only be used in "exceptional situations where a local resolution has not been reached".

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