Hutton announces more NHS Walk in Centres UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Aug 2004 - 14:00 PDT

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UK Health Minister John Hutton today announced that 17 new NHS Walk-In Centres are to be set up across England, bringing the total number to 82.

NHS Walk-In Centres provide quick access to advice and treatment for minor ailments and injuries. No appointment is necessary. They have proved popular with the public with more than 4 million attendances since 2000.

New centres are planned for:

Birmingham
Oldham
Derby
Leeds
Manchester
Folkestone
North Kirklees
Rugby
Milton Keynes
North Somerset - Western-Super-Mare
Southport
Halton
Five for London (Newham, Ilford, Barking/Dagenham, Romford, Harold Wood)

In Birmingham, the planned new Walk-In Centre will be fully integrated with other local health services, including out of hours care, and will have an on-site pharmacy. The centre planned for Milton Keynes will support the local General Hospital, helping to relieve pressure on A&E services.

John Hutton said:

"Since 2000 when the first Walk-In Centres opened they have proved hugely popular with patients. Over four million visits have been recorded so far.

"Walk-In Centres give people more convenient access to a wider range of services and that is why we are committed to increasing the number of centres across the country."

In addition to the new NHS Walk-In Centres the Department of Health will soon be setting out new plans for the development of six instant access GP-led centres that will allow commuters to access health services closer to their work place. The first of these centres were announced in the NHS Improvement Plan in July and are to be sited in Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester and London.

Notes to editor

1) The 17 Walk-In Centres announced today will be developed locally by the following NHS organisations:

Avon Gloucestershire & Wiltshire SHA/North Somerset PCT
Birmingham & Black Country SHA - Heart of Birmingham PCT
Cheshire & Merseyside SHA - Halton PCT
Cheshire & Merseyside - Southport and Formby PCT
Greater Manchester SHA - Oldham PCT
Greater Manchester SHA - Central Manchester PCT
Kent & Medway SHA - Shepway PCT
North East London SHA - Havering PCT (Romford)
North East London SHA - Havering PCT ( Harold Wood Hospital)
North East London SHA - Newham PCT
North East London SHA - Redbridge PCT (Central Illford)
North East London SHA - Barking & Dagenham PCT
Thames Valley SHA - Milton Keynes PCT
Trent SHA - Central Derby PCT
West Midlands South SHA - Rugby PCT
West Yorkshire SHA - Joint project by all Leeds PCTs
West Yorkshire SHA - North Kirklees PCT

2) For media enquiries only ring Brad Smythe on 020 7210 5301, for all other enquiries (UK) 020 7210 4850.

Press Release from the UK Dept of Health