Suffolk leaders call for better healthcare provision in ward

Chris Chambers, who represents the Gipping Valley division at Suffolk County Council, has launched a petition calling for the issues in villages around Needham Market and north west of Ipswich to be improved.

The petition is seeking views from residents, many of whom, according to Cllr Chambers, have been left without "fit for purpose" services following the closure of Barham Surgery in 2021. 

The Barham and Claydon surgery was taken away in 2021 (Image: Claire Reeve) It comes after the news that a planned £8million surgery for Cardinal Practice in Ipswich would not be going ahead due to rising costs making it unaffordable.

"Since the closure of the Barham GP surgery in 2021, local residents have been left without adequate medical provision, and the ongoing expansion of housing developments in the area has only exacerbated the problem," said Mr Chambers. 

"Healthcare has actually gone backwards. It is unstable.

"The growing population in Gipping Valley has placed an unsustainable strain on local healthcare services, and it is clear that without immediate intervention, the situation will worsen."

A spokesperson for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board said they remain committed to delivering improved primary care facilities in the area. 

Suffolk County Councillor Chris Chambers (Image: Suffolk County Council) Councillor Chambers is working alongside Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer to lobby the NHS for a new GP surgery in the division. 

He added: "This effort is not only about addressing the immediate healthcare crisis but also about planning responsibly for the future."

“Increasing access to GP services is an absolute priority for me," said MP Patrick Spencer. 

"It is something that came up on the doorstep time and time again when I was campaigning in the run up to the General Election. 

"Since the closure of the Claydon and Barham GP surgery in 2021, residents of Claydon, Barham and the surrounding villages have been struggling with inadequate access to healthcare services, putting additional pressure on the existing GP practice at Needham Market.

"It is vital that immediate priority is given to bringing about the healthcare services that local residents need and deserve.”