Rupert Lowe – Great Yarmouth MP and all Restore Britain – Great Yarmouth First councillors, including myself, have written directly to the NHS leadership team following the frankly ridiculous news that the full A&E department at the James Paget Hospital is being considered for closure or downgrade.

We have made our position absolutely clear:
THIS OPTION MUST BE REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION IMMEDIATELY.

The James Paget is the emergency lifeline for Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Bradwell, Caister, Hemsby, Hopton, Martham, Belton, Burgh Castle, Winterton, Ormesby, Scratby, Filby, Rollesby, Fleggburgh, Repps with Bastwick, Thurne, Somerton, Browston, St Olaves, Fritton and many more communities.

The idea that residents could be expected to travel to Norwich for critical emergencies is beyond farcical, it’s dangerous.

What makes this even more ludicrous is that, at the same time, Great Yarmouth Borough Council‘s development management committee is approving ever more housing and over‑development, piling pressure onto already overstretched local services. And ignoring the cumulative impact of these developments! You cannot keep expanding the community while the NHS is threatening to remove the very emergency care those residents rely on.

We have demanded a clear, unequivocal commitment that the James Paget will retain a full, consultant‑led, 24‑hour A&E department. Our community deserves certainty, not the threat of losing essential emergency care.