The contract to provide primary medical care at Downham Market Health Centre was awarded to Vida Healthcare following a robust tender process carried out by NHS Norfolk last year.

Vida Healthcare is the largest medical practice in Norfolk and last year was awarded the “Quality Practice Award” from the Royal College of General Practitioners. It is the only practice in Norfolk to hold this coveted award. The award recognises the high standards and quality of care provided at its two existing establishments: Gayton Road Health Centre in King’s Lynn and the Carole Brown Health Centre in Dersingham.

Together with Downham Market Health Centre, Vida will serve a total of nearly 25,000 patients. There are 2,500 patients registered at Downham Market Health Centre.

Graham Dickerson, Managing Partner at Vida Healthcare, said: “We are proud of the service we have been offering in Norfolk for the past 35 years and we are delighted to be extending this to our new patients.


“Our Practice offers high quality and accessible care and we wish to work with patients to further improve the services offered at Downham Market in the future.”

An open afternoon/evening will be held at the health centre after Vida Healthcare takes over, to enable patients to meet the team and discuss services.

The reason for the handover is that the current provider, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) wishes to divest the service, as it is not part of its core business.

Norfolk Community Health and Care is an independent Trust which provides NHS community care services such as district nursing. It will continue to offer services from Downham Market Health Centre as before, including community nursing care, health visiting, community drug and alcohol services and podiatry.

Nikki Cocks, Director of Independent Contracts and Providers at NHS Norfolk, said: “Vida, NCH&C and NHS Norfolk are working together to ensure the handover takes place as smoothly as possible. During this time patient data will be protected, and appointments will continue as before.”

Members of the public can visit the Vida Healthcare website: www.vidahealthcare.nhs.uk

The NHS Norfolk Patient Advice and Liaison Service can be reached on 0800 587 4132, mobile 07500 990815 or email: [email protected]