Castle Hill site identified as potential site for new Ipswich GP surgery

Why it matters: Residents in Castle Hill and Whitton have faced "ridiculous" waiting times for appointments, with one 80-year-old patient reporting being "48th in the queue" when calling for appointments, and patients facing long-running challenges with local surgeries run by Cardinal Medical Practice.

The big picture: The NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) wants to build a new GP practice in Ipswich for patients currently treated by the Cardinal Medical Practice, after previous plans for a £7.75m "super surgery" at the former Tooks Bakery site were axed.

What they're saying: "We have identified a site on the intersection of Castle Hill and the Ipswich constituency border and we are still hopeful," said Patrick Spencer, the elusive MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, speaking to the BBC.

"I haven't been given a reason to think that target is not attainable and it is still my hope that there will be expanded surgery capacity by Easter next year," he added.

Also speaking to BBC Suffolk, Cardinal Medical Practice patient Pat, 80, described the current situation: "I am at the Deben Road surgery but you can't get through. If you call up for appointments you're 48th in the queue – it's just ridiculous that you have to put up with it."

For context: A joint statement by the ICB and Ipswich Borough Council previously said the Tooks Bakery project had "become unaffordable for the NHS, with costs having increased significantly over the past three years".

Ed Garratt, chief executive of the ICB, told the BBC in January that he wanted to see "spades in the ground" by the start of the festive season.

What's next: A spokesperson for the ICB said "good progress" was now being made "on finding a solution for the practice and patients", adding: "We recognise the importance and urgency of this project, and know that local people have been waiting a long time to see change. We are hopeful of being in a position to deliver an update soon."

The bottom line: Spencer apologised to constituents over the axing of the original plans, saying: "I am so sorry to the people who have been thrown from pillar to post, it's been chaotic. The first thing I did after being elected was have a meeting with Ed Garratt and I said this is my number one issue – I am 100% focused on getting this done."