The changes are being considered as part of a radical overhaul in the way primary care is delivered in Norfolk and Waveney.

The proposals will raise concerns about creating added pressure on the already-stretched ambulance service and accident and emergency departments.

However, NHS bosses claim that money saved by the closures can redirected to ensure it is used more effectively.

They have pointed out that one of Norfolk's out-of-hours GP sites saw only 29 patients in 2024.

The service currently operates from overnight bases in Norwich and eight towns: King's Lynn, Great Yarmouth, North Walsham, Thetford, Beccles, Lowestoft, Fakenham and Dereham.

It is accessible through NHS 111 and allows people to have face-to-face appointments with a general practitioner outside of regular opening hours.

All nine of the out-of-hours bases currently operate from 6.30pm until 8am, Monday to Friday, and in the daytime at weekends, with the exception of Fakenham and Dereham, which are closed on weekdays.

But the Integrated Care Board - which manages resources for the region's NHS trusts - is considering a range of options for the service - all of which will see at least three of the bases permanently close.

These options are as follows:

Option A: Closing the bases in Beccles, Dereham and Fakenham permanently - and Lowestoft on weekdays.

Option B: Closing Beccles, Dereham and Fakenham........

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