Almost One In Four NHS Walk-In Centres Close

Almost one in four NHS walk-in centres have closed in recent years, despite being popular with patients.

Research from the health sector regulator Monitor suggests that patients may not be able to access the care they need, in particular where there are problems with access to local GP services.

The NHS set up 238 walk-in centres during the last decade in order to improve access to primary care, be more responsive to the needs of patients, and offer greater choice.

Monitor's research shows that the 185 walk-in centres still operating in England are particularly popular among young adults, many women, and vulnerable social groups.

Most walk-in centres are open seven days a week for extended hours, don’t require pre-booked appointments, enable patients to see a healthcare professional after only a short wait, and provide one-off treatment for minor illnesses.

Monitor found that Mondays or Saturdays are the busiest times for most walk-in centres, with four out of five users saying they received the treatment they needed and would visit a walk-in centre again.

Catherine Davies, Monitor's Executive Director of Co-operation and Competition, said: "Some commissioners told us they end up paying twice for treating patients at walk-in centres who are already registered with a GP. We are now asking for views on whether the payment system should be reformed to fix this.

"While it is for commissioners to decide whether to keep a walk-in centre open, we need to make sure that the needs of patients are fully considered before decisions are taken."

(CD/IT)