GP practices across England have recently seen changes to the way some NHS funding is provided.
Previously, some funding was paid to groups of GP practices, known as Primary Care Networks (PCNs), to help them plan and deliver services together. From April 2026, part of this funding is now paid directly to individual GP practices instead where it is specifically ringfenced for increasing GP capacity.
As a result, some Primary Care Networks will be reviewing how they organise their staff, services and the buildings they use to make sure NHS funding is used in the best possible way for patients.
Routine GP services provided by local GP practices are not affected by this review.
NHS Essex has written to the GP practices that make up Southend East PCN to ask for reassurance that patients will continue to receive the care and support they need and that patients will be informed in advance of any changes to their care.
No. These changes are not the result of a reduction in funding for local healthcare services.
They follow national changes to the way some primary care services are funded and organised through the Primary Care Network (PCN) contract. As a result, some services that were previously delivered from Norton Place will be provided in different locations or through different arrangements.
Patients will continue to be able to access the services they need, although where or how some services are delivered may change. NHS Essex is working closely with the Primary Care Network and local GP practices to ensure these changes are implemented safely, minimise disruption for patients and maintain access to high-quality care.
For now, patients should continue to attend appointments as normal unless the GP practice contacts them directly.
If any changes to where services are delivered are confirmed, the GP practice will confirm in advance, including where to attend for future appointments.
Further updates will also be shared by the practices if any changes are confirmed.
For a number of years there have been ambitions to develop a new health facility in Shoebury to provide modern healthcare closer to home. While significant work has taken place over that time, a number of factors, including changes in government, national funding, rising construction costs and wider NHS priorities, have meant those plans have not yet progressed to delivery.
Although the recent changes affecting services at Norton Place are separate from those earlier proposals, they have understandably renewed questions about the future of healthcare in Shoebury.
We are working closely with local GP practices, Southend-on-Sea City Council and other partners to identify the most sustainable long-term solution for primary and community healthcare in Shoebury.
In the meantime, our priority is to ensure local people continue to have access to safe, high-quality GP and community health services. We will continue to keep residents and stakeholders informed as plans develop and will involve the local community if proposals are brought forward.
For several years, NHS organisations and local partners have explored options for developing improved health facilities in Shoebury.
An outline business case was developed following discussions with local stakeholders and there remains a clear recognition that the area would benefit from modern healthcare facilities.
Unfortunately, despite significant work, the investment needed to make the scheme affordable has not yet been secured.
A number of factors have made it difficult to deliver.
These include:
- significant rise in construction costs
- limitations to the amount of NHS capital funding that was available
- continued financial pressures across the NHS.
We recognise this is disappointing for local people and share the ambition to improve health facilities in Shoebury.
Shoebury is an area with growing demand for healthcare.
The local population is expected to increase significantly because of planned housing growth, while many residents experience higher levels of deprivation and poorer health than the national average.
National NHS policy is increasingly focused on providing more care closer to people’s homes, making suitable healthcare facilities even more important.
The current health centre continues to provide GP services.
While the building has recognised limitations, opportunities are being explored to make practical improvements where possible as part of ongoing estate planning.
The current Primary Care Network review will continue separately from the longer-term work to improve healthcare facilities in Shoebury.
Alongside supporting local GP services through these changes, NHS Essex is continuing to work with Southend-on-Sea City Council and other partners to explore opportunities for future investment, consider how existing health and public buildings could be used more effectively, and identify improvements that can be made to current facilities while longer-term options are developed.
Although securing funding for a new health facility remains challenging, we remain committed to working with partners to find sustainable solutions that meet the long-term healthcare needs of the Shoebury community. In the meantime, our priority is to ensure local people continue to have access to safe, high-quality NHS services.