Chilvers and McCrea, part of Operose Health, was due to take over the contract but the ICB said the plan had been abandoned following the merger in April 2026 of NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB and NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB.

A spokesperson said: ‘Following the establishment of the new ICB in April 2026, the procurement was reviewed and was no longer considered to align with the organisation's strategic priorities. Future commissioning arrangements will be developed through the ICB's strategic commissioning process.

‘There will be no changes to current services. Existing services will continue until at least 30 September 2027, and patients should continue to access care in the usual way.

‘No decisions have been made about services beyond that date.'

Operose Health was the subject of a BBC Panorama investigation in 2022 about its recruitment practices.

A spokesperson for Operose Health has said: ‘We are disappointed that the procurement process has been stopped following the challenge and subsequent Provider Selection Regime Review Panel process, but we respect the ICB's decision. For us, it was always about providing an innovative primary care service to help improve access, outcomes and patient experience for the people of Norwich.

‘It is important to be clear that the abandonment of the procurement is a decision by the ICB in relation to the procurement process. It is not a decision or finding against Operose Health or the merits of our bid.'