NHS cuts jeopardise Living Well Partnership jobs in Norwich

The Living Well Partnership, led by Norfolk Citizens Advice alongside Age UK Norwich, Equal Lives and Mancroft Advice Project, will lose £509,000 of funding in July.

The NHS arm that distributes the funding has announced plans to transfer that money to local councils instead.

Mark Hitchcock is CEO of Norfolk Citizens Advice (Image: Norfolk Citizens Advice)

"Charity life is pretty challenging if large-scale funding is cut," said Mark Hitchcock, chief executive of Norfolk Citizens Advice.

"We feel bereft - it is a huge backward step for us that will see people lose their jobs and others not receiving the help they need."

The Norwich base of Norfolk Citizens Advice is at The Forum (Image: Norfolk Citizens Advice)

The partnership has supported patients across 21 GP practices in Norwich and Broadland since 2019, with social prescribing work on non-medical factors that affect health including poverty, social isolation, poor living conditions, inactivity, smoking and frailty.

Mr Hitchcock explained that the need for their joint support has doubled in recent years, with the partnership now helping around 1,400 people annually.

Dan Skipper is CEO of Age UK Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

Dan Skipper, chief executive at Age UK Norwich, said: "Changing provider when you already have an excellent provision makes little sense, and we haven’t been given any clarity on why, or the opportunity to respond.

"How can we have one part of the NHS give us an award, and another cut the contract, particularly with our skills around health inequalities, one of the NHS’s top priorities?"

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The NHS was approached about the decision to redistribute the funding after the outcry from the partnership.

Age UK run several services around the county (Image: Age UK Norwich)

A spokeswoman said: "Financial resources for primary care are broadly consistent with last year.

"The ICB (NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board) understands that the PCN (Primary Care Networks) member practices have considered the services available and used their right to enter into arrangements they feel would best deliver the requirements of social prescribing for their patients."

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With the funds for the East and West Norwich PCNs directed to local councils, the Living Well Partnership must raise funds to plug the gap, although the partnership's work with the Central and North Norwich PCNs has been extended until March 31, 2025.

The Living Well Partnership has won several awards in the last five years (Image: Age UK Norwich)

"We are worried that we will see more referrals but not have the money to adequately provide support," added Mr Hitchcock.

"If people look to any of our websites they will find opportunities to support and work with us.

"We are still working together but in a much-reduced way."