Robin Hunter Clarke and Rob Jamieson, who both represent Reform, say it is “very worrying” that Norfolk and Waveney’s Integrated Care Board has yet to clarify how it will respond to the loss of Toftwood Medical Centre in Dereham.
More than 4,000 patients were displaced when the surgery closed on March 31.
Rob Jamieson (left) and Robin Hunter-Clarke have demanded answers over the future of healthcare in south Dereham(Image: Robin Hunter-Clarke)
Mr Hunter-Clarke, the leader of Reform UK Group at Breckland council, said: “I’m getting very concerned by their dither and delay.”
He claimed that the ICB – which oversees the allocation of health resources – would try to claim Toftwood did not require a surgery and that residents could be served by other GP practices.
“I am determined to fight for our residents ensuring they have the health provision they deserve,” he added.
“The ICB needs to meet with elected officials as soon as possible to answer these important questions about the future of health in Dereham.”
Mr Hunter-Clarke and Mr Jamieson, who is on the town council, first contacted the ICB in July seeking a meeting which is yet to take place.
Toftwood Medical Centre shut its doors on 31 March 2025(Image: Archant)
They are advocating for an alternative site in the town to ensure local health services can keep pace with rising demand driven by new housing developments.
In an email sent to the ICB this week, Mr Hunter-Clarke wrote: “It has now been eight weeks since we originally wrote to you.
“The delay is concerning, given the impact on our community and the need for timely engagement.
“It is essential that elected councillors have the opportunity to discuss ongoing and future plans for local primary care services and to raise concerns on behalf of residents.”
A Norfolk and Waveney spokesman said: “We are working with both Dereham GP practices, as well as the other local practices in the primary care network, to understand what services will be needed to accommodate the growing population of the town and to plan for the future.
It is really important that we ensure Dereham has the right general practice services and so it will take some time to do this work.
“In the meantime, both Theatre Royal Surgery and Orchard Surgery have taken steps to increase the number of patients that they can treat, for example by recruiting more staff, running additional clinics and remodelling to add more consulting rooms.”