Clinicians Demand 24/7 Emergency Care for All Norfolk Hospitals

Clinicians advising NHS bosses have stressed that two new hospitals, currently under construction at the James Paget in Gorleston and the Queen Elizabeth in King's Lynn, must offer 24-hour emergency care. This recommendation is part of the planning for departments within these new facilities, with campaigners expressing concerns about potential reductions in accident, surgical, and maternity services. The Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWHG) has stated that no final decisions have been made regarding service provision.

The new hospitals are anticipated to open in 2033, a date that has been deferred multiple times. The clinical liaison group, representing 60 medics, will present its recommendations to the hospitals' group. They emphasize the necessity of maintaining permanent emergency care at the James Paget, Queen Elizabeth, and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, acknowledging the geographic challenges of the region.

Regarding surgical services, the majority of cases are expected to be delivered across all three sites, with an increased focus on community-based procedures in the future. For maternity services, a report indicated that the low number of daily normal vaginal deliveries at both the Queen Elizabeth and James Paget units could pose challenges for maintaining skills. The NWHG is developing a strategy to address falling birth rates and an aging population, aiming to provide local care while ensuring access to specialist expertise.