Jack Abbott, the MP for Ipswich, said that the redesign of local health services will mean “less frustration for patients” almost a year on from the axing of the ‘super surgery’ at Cardinal Practice.
Ipswich and Suffolk is part of the initial 43 sites across the country which will benefit from the new programme which will shift care out of hospitals and into the community.
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott and Health Secretary Wes Streeting(Image: Jack Abbott)
The aim is to tackle health inequalities and improve support for people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure.
Mr Abbott said: “I know too many people in Ipswich struggle to access timely healthcare, and that can mean conditions get worse or people end up in A&E when earlier support could have made the difference.
“On many occasions, I have spoken with the Health Secretary about the need to shift healthcare out of hospital and into our communities, so I really pleased Ipswich is one of the first beneficiaries of this new neighbourhood approach.
The news comes almost a year on from the axing of the Cardinal Medial Practice ‘super surgery’ which would have served the residents of north Ipswich(Image: Paul Geater)
“Services in Ipswich will become more joined-up, rooted in our communities, and focused on prevention and ongoing care. That means less frustration for patients, less duplication for the NHS, and ultimately better outcomes for local people.
“I will be working closely with our local NHS leaders to make sure Ipswich sees the full benefit of this programme as it begins to roll out.”
Under the new voluntary neighbourhood health contracts, GPs will choose to be part of either a single neighbourhood which will deliver enhanced services for around 50,000 people or a multi-neighbourhood provider will serve around 250,000 people.
Cardinal Medical Practice has about 30,000 patients registered and is the largest in Ipswich, but remains spread over three sites, as plans to unite them were abandoned last year.