Dereham councillors concern over closure of Toftwood surgery

Two weeks ago, NHS bosses announced it is considering closing Toftwood Medical Centre in Dereham ahead of its contract expiring at the end of March next year.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney suggested in its consultation document closing the practice and relocating its patients to either Orchard Surgery or Theatre Royal Surgery, both of which are a half-hour walk away.

The contract for the surgery is expected to end next year at the end of March. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2015) In response to the news, Dereham's Labour councillors have come out expressing their concern about the closure of the practice and the loss of the facility to the town, which is expected to experience significant housing development in the coming years.

Councillors Kendra Cogman, Sarah Taylor, Harry Clarke and Ray O'Callaghan said in a joint statement: "We were dismayed to read about the proposal to close Toftwood Medical Centre. 

"There are precious few services in Toftwood as it is, so to be losing the surgery is a real blow to the area.

Ray O'Callaghan, Harry Clarke, Sarah Taylor and Kendra Cogman have expressed their concern about the closure. (Image: Denise Bradley) "While the ICB is asking for feedback, we understand that, frustratingly, there is no option but to close the surgery in the short term. 

"We are deeply by the lack of options in the consultation for a long-term solution.

"We want a location in Toftwood to be found so residents don't have to move to Orchard or Theatre Royal surgeries.

"We also want a long-term solution to this problem. We have already started to talk with different organisations who can help with this.

"We are absolutely determined that people living in Toftwood need more, not less, services and we have started the work to make that happen."

Health bosses say they had worked with the landlord over many years to resolve the expiration of the lease's contractual term but have not been able to finalise a new lease.