More NHS walk-in centres to be opened

Another 17 NHS walk-in centres have been announced for England this month bringing the total number to 82.

Health minister John Hutton said: 'Since 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.'

The first NHS walk-in centres opened in 2004 providing quick access to advice and treatment for minor ailments and injuries and, perhaps most attractively to men, no appointment is necessary. A report published in July 2002 commissioned by the Department and carried out by the University of Bristol showed the impact the centres had had on the way the public use the NHS:

• 74% of consultations were managed entirely in the walk-in centres;
• 45% would have contacted their GP if the centre had not been available while 26% would have gone to their local A&E

This announcement brings to around 28 the total number of new walk-in centres announced in 2004. In January, John Hutton announced another 11 centres although Barking and Dagenham appears on both lists.

• The new centres announced this month 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)

• The new centres announced in January were for:

Brighton

Lewisham

Darlington

Barking and Dagenham (London)

Skelmersdale

Colchester

Huntingdon

Prestwich

Salford

Gateshead

Sunderland