Concern has been raised with medical bosses over the closure of Toftwood Surgery, Dereham by Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman. 

The surgery closed its doors for the final time on the 31 March 2025 after the NHS said it could not agree terms for a lease extension with the landlord and North Elmham GP Practice who run the facility.  For several months George has been working to try and broker an agreement with the Integrated Care Board and the landlord of the GP's premises to secure the long term future of the practice.  

The move to close the surgery has also been opposed by the Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The surgery, which had been rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission, first alerted patients of the impending closure in October 2024. A public consultation followed with hundreds of patients citing concerns about access to appointments and waiting times that the closure could create.

Commenting on the current situation, local MP George Freeman said 

“This is incredibly frustrating and I know is causing real concern for local residents, especially the many elderly residents who rely on Toftwood Surgery and struggle to get across town to other surgeries. These surgeries are both already under significant pressure from the increase in demand. I have tried to help NHS managers and the landlord of Toftwood surgery to negotiate a deal to secure the long-term viability of the medical centre - but regrettably they could not agree terms. 

“My immediate priority now is to ensure that there is a smooth transition for Toftwood registered patients to the two surgeries in Dereham.  I have contacted Toftwood residents and if they have not received notification from the ICB of their new surgery, I will follow up as a matter of priority. I have made clear to the NHS ICB that this must be a temporary arrangement and that Toftwood needs a new community health hub.

“With the new government increasing housing allocation in Breckland by 50 percent, and the growing demand for local healthcare rising steadily, it is madness to be closing local health facilities.   I am therefore calling on all parties to work together, at pace, to develop a South Dereham Community Health Hub. 

“I will also be pressing ministers to ensure Mid Norfolk has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate patient needs.

“Having secured the funding for the renovation of the Fred Nicholas SEND school site - perfectly positioned in the middle of Toftwood - this would be an ideal site for a community health centre - with GP, Community surgery, nurses and a dentistry clinic for the new dentists coming out of the new UEA Dental Training hub. I am also urging the Town Council and Breckland Council to adopt this as part of the Dereham Town Plan. When new houses are built, they must come with proper facilities.”