One Norwich Practices (ONP) has announced that it is winding down and leaving health bosses scrambling to find a replacement provider for its services. The organization currently runs the city’s walk-in center, vulnerable adult services, and the largest GP surgery in Norwich. It was revealed that ONP had become financially unsustainable, leading to the decision to close it down. This has necessitated the need for finding appropriate alternative providers and developing plans to transfer services and staff to minimize disruption to patient care and protect the wellbeing of staff. The Norfolk and Waveney integrated care board is working with ONP to address immediate priorities before undertaking its own internal review of the circumstances that may have contributed to ONP’s insolvency.
As a result of the organization’s closure, there have been calls for the government to conduct an investigation into what went wrong at the company. Former Green Party leader Baroness Bennett has urged the government to investigate the board of the company and its management of services, in response to which Lord Markam stated that the immediate priorities are to minimize disruption to patient care and protect the wellbeing of staff before the ICB undertakes its review of the circumstances leading to ONP’s insolvency. Furthermore, city councillor Lucy Galvin has called for a full public inquiry into the collapse of ONP, expressing concern over the chaotic nature of its management and the need for urgent investigation into what went wrong.
NHS Norfolk and Waveney has also stated that announcements over future providers to replace ONP will be made in the coming days, indicating that efforts are being made to ensure continuity of care for patients and the wellbeing of staff. With the closure of ONP, there is a pressing need for a replacement provider to take over its services, including the walk-in center, vulnerable adult services, and the GP surgery. The winding down of ONP has raised concerns about the management and financial sustainability of healthcare services, prompting calls for an investigation into the circumstances leading to the organization’s insolvency. It remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and what steps will be taken to ensure the continued provision of healthcare services in Norwich.
