Why it matters: With more than 27,000 registered patients, Cardinal Medical Practice is Ipswich's largest GP practice, and patients have faced "ridiculous" waiting times for appointments. It has also faced historical issues, having previously been rated as Ipswich's worst GP.
The details: The practice is in talks with Ipswich Borough Council about converting the Inkerman, located at the junction of Norwich Road and Chevallier Street, next to the existing Norwich Road Surgery.
This proposal emerges months after plans for a £7.75m "super surgery" at the junction of Old Norwich Road and Bury Road were abandoned due to rising costs from development delays.
The bigger picture: The practice's coverage extends beyond northwest Ipswich to nearby communities including Claydon, Blakenham, Barham and Bramford. It serves approximately 19,000 patients in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer's constituency, with the remaining 8,000 in Ipswich MP Jack Abbott's constituency.
For context: Yesterday, Spencer had issued a statement about "a site on the intersection of Castle Hill and the Ipswich constituency border" and expressed hope that construction could begin by Christmas. It is believed that this is the site he was referring to.
What they're saying: A spokesperson for the ICB had previously 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." But they have not issued a public statement confirming the plans.
The bottom line: This new proposal represents the latest attempt to address the practice's capacity issues after the previously planned "super surgery" was deemed "unaffordable for the NHS".
