Norwich walk-in centre should stay open, urge councillors

The contract which health chiefs have with the Rouen Road centre is coming to an end and commissioners are considering whether or not to close it.

More than 3,000 people had their say in public consultation into its future, in which people were asked to give their views on three potential options for the site.

The walk-in centre in Rouen Road, Norwich (Image: Archant 2020)

One of these would see the contract One Norwich Practices has to run the walk-in centre there renewed. That would see it stay open, while the other two would see it shut.

Bosses at NHS Norfolk and Waveney will consider the consultation - with a decision over its future expected in May.

And at a meeting of Norfolk County Council next month, councillors will be urged to send a message to health leaders to keep the facility open.

Labour county councillor Brenda Jones (Image: Norfolk Labour)

Labour's Brenda Jones, who represents Lakenham, has tabled a motion calling for the Conservative-run council to recognise how important the walk-in centre is.

Her motion asks the council to "recognise the positive impact" the centre has in easing pressure on the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and in helping people struggling to get GP appointments.

Mrs Jones said: "The strength of feeling should make any closure plans a dead duck. Local people, visitors, shoppers, you name it and they all want to see the walk-in centre stay."

READ MORE: Petition handed in to save Norwich's walk-in centre

Norwich North Conservative MP Chloe Smith is against the closure. She raised the issue in parliament.

Alice Macdonald, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Norwich North, said her survey, showing people's difficulties in getting GP appointments, demonstrated why the walk-in centre is needed.

Health bosses said the consultation results would help inform their decision.