GP concerns raised over 13,600 new homes needed in Ipswich

Ipswich Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan evidence identifies a need for 13,600 homes between 2026 and 2045, equivalent to around 714 properties a year.

But councillor William Patrick has warned that the impact of such growth on healthcare must not be overlooked.

Councillor William Patrick has concerns over the plans (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

He said: “Our GP services are already stretched to their limit in this part of Ipswich before any new housing is even considered.

“Chasing housing growth without considering second order impacts only compounds past failures.”

The warning comes as the council assesses how Ipswich should develop up to 2045, with its Baseline Data Report identifying only around 8,700 homes of housing supply against the 13,600-home requirement.

NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board said it recognised the importance of maintaining access to high-quality primary care as communities grow.

However, the ICB said figures showing patients per GP did not provide a complete picture of capacity because practices also include nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and other healthcare professionals.

It said it monitors patient numbers and works with practices where additional capacity is needed, including through recruitment, workforce development and financial incentives.

The best and worst GP surgeries according to Suffolk patients have been revealed (Image: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

Additional capacity is already being created in Ipswich, with construction underway on new clinical facilities at the former Inkerman pub site for Cardinal Medical Practice.

The ICB added: “We will continue to work with primary care providers and local partners to understand the impact of population and housing growth and help ensure primary care services can respond to the needs of local communities.”