Town centre businesses unite as Christmas tree takes pride of place on Cornhill

Why it matters: The meeting signals high-level government engagement with Ipswich's primary care challenges, particularly in the north west of the town where the cancelled development was planned.

The big picture: The development at the former Tooks Bakery site was intended to create a new 'super surgery' that would embed healthcare services within the local community, aligning with the government's long-term NHS strategy.

The details: Jack Abbott MP and Patrick Spencer MP met with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock on Saturday 30 November:

• Both MPs emphasised the need for improved primary care in north west Ipswich

• The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to community-based healthcare

• The project was meant to align with recommendations from the Darzi Report on NHS strategy

• No immediate solution was proposed

Plans for new Cardinal Medical Practice 'super surgery' are scrapped in major blow for 30,000 patients

Health bosses and council officials are going back to the drawing board after plans for a new £7.5m Cardinal Medical Practice 'super surgery' in northwest Ipswich were scrapped due to "rising costs".

• News
• 55 days ago

What they're saying:

• "I will continue to work with local and national politicians and our local NHS to try and find a workable solution," said Jack Abbott MP

• Patrick Spencer MP described the cancellation as "bitterly disappointing" for both the medical practice and local residents

• Spencer added that the promised new 'super surgery' would "deliver exactly what the Government has committed to – health services embedded in the local community"

The bottom line: While the minister has reinforced the government's commitment to community healthcare, no immediate solution has been proposed for the cancelled development. Both MPs have pledged to continue working towards a sustainable solution.