The ICB Board met on Wednesday 4 November to consider the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group’s Case for Change. This document outlines challenges faced by local hospitals, including increasing demand, workforce pressures, and the need for sustainable services.
The Board’s decision does not approve the closure, reduction, or relocation of any hospital services, including maternity services. No preferred options have been agreed, and no formal public consultation has been authorised at this stage.
Instead, the ICB will commission and oversee the development of a Pre-Consultation Business Case (PCBC). This will assess a comprehensive range of options, with patient safety, clinical quality, access to care, and reducing health inequalities being central to the process.
“"Our priority is to ensure that people across Norfolk and Waveney receive safe, high-quality care, now and in the future. We want to see a greater proportion of care delivered closer to home, which we believe will improve health outcomes."
“"The Case for Change highlights important challenges that we must plan for, focused by the opportunity of the two new replacement hospitals planned for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn and the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston."
“"I want to reassure patients, families and staff that no decisions have been made through this review to close, reduce or move services at any of our three hospitals."
The ICB will oversee the development and assessment of potential options, considering patient safety, workforce, hospital and community capacity, travel, access, affordability, and health inequalities. Findings from Healthwatch Norfolk engagement and further involvement with patients, staff, partners, and local communities will inform this work.
The completed Pre-Consultation Business Case will return to the ICB Board for a separate decision before any formal public consultation. An update on the next stage, including more detailed timescales, will be provided at the next ICB Board meeting.
