What would be the impact of moving the out-of-hours GP service base from the Riverside Clinic to our hospital on you?

That is the question being asked by NHS Suffolk from today. The out-of-hours GP service gives patients urgent appointment-only access to a GP outside of normal surgery opening hours.

Tracy Dowling, NHS Suffolk’s director of strategic commissioning said: “Moving the out-of-hours GP base to Ipswich Hospital makes sense and follows the relocation of the minor injuries service to the hospital last July.

“Patients have told us that having services concentrated in one location will make it less confusing to know where to go. The move also makes clinical sense. If the out of hours GP thinks a patient needs urgent medical attention, the patient will already be in the right place as the emergency department is very nearby."

The plan has been put together by Harmoni, the out-of-hours provider, NHS Suffolk and clinicians at Ipswich Hospital, and would see continued focus of healthcare services at the hospital.

The out-of-hours GP base will be located in the rheumatology department of the hospital, with a separate entrance opposite the emergency department.  Parking charges will apply, as they do to all hospital visitors. Parking costs £1 for a one hour stay .

James Waites, service manager for Harmoni, said: “We have been liaising closely with our colleagues at NHS Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital and we agree that having our out of hours GP base located at Ipswich Hospital will bring a number of benefits to patients. Not least of these, in our opinion, is the fact the patient will be in the right place should they need more urgent medical assistance. Feedback we receive from patients suggests this would be a welcome move.”