QEH services: new important meetings next week + Healthwatch Survey

QEH services: important meetings next week

Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared our petition to protect vital services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.

Two meetings next week will consider the “Case for Change” supporting the development of a clinical strategy across QEH, James Paget and Norfolk and Norwich hospitals.

Both agendas list the Case for Change as a decision item. This does not mean that closures, downgrades or service transfers have been approved. It is, however, an important stage. Local people deserve to understand exactly what approval would mean and to examine the evidence behind it.

Following reports about the possible loss of A&E, intensive care, maternity services, general surgery, and smaller services, our concerns remain. We need clear answers about how future plans will protect safe, accessible care for our communities.

Monday 2 November 2026, 10am — Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group Board

The Group Chief Executive of the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group, Professor Lesley Dwyer is expected to outline the “Clinical Strategy Case for Change” to the board for an hour, with a vote then taken. She describes the paper as the “beginning of a conversation”. The paper and supporting documents will be published on the trust website here for the public to consider. 

Wednesday 4 November 2026, 4:30pm — NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board special meeting

The ICB plans and funds local NHS services. Its agenda also lists the Hospitals Group’s Case for Change for decision, with the supporting paper marked “to follow”.

Members of the public can watch the livestream or the recording afterwards here. https://www.youtube.com/@nsicb-norfolk/streams 

Healthwatch Survey 

I have received several concerned messages from residents confused about how will public feedback influence the work when the Healthwatch survey closes on 6 November, after both meetings? This is a very good question and one I look forward to hearing being answered. These meetings next week both appear to have been called at short notice, with the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group Board not due to meet originally until 2 December 2026 according to their last minutes, and the Norfolk & Suffolk ICB meeting marked as “special”. 

Please also keep Thursday 19 November at 10am in your diary for the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) meeting. This is another important opportunity for scrutiny of the plans affecting our hospital. can watch the livestream or the recording afterwards here Norfolk County Council Democratic Services - YouTube

I will review the published papers and update you on what these meetings mean for our campaign.

Please keep sharing the petition. Every signature helps demonstrate how strongly our community feels about protecting vital services at the QEH.

Thank you for your continued support.

Regards

Cllr Rob Colwell

Gaywood North & Central, Norfolk County Council

Gaywood North Bank, King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council 

Chair and Parliamentary Spokesperson, North West Norfolk Liberal Democrats