NHS 'commuter centres' launched

The first walk-in health centres for commuters have been launched by the government today.

The first two surgeries, one located near London's Liverpool Street station and the other near Manchester's Piccadilly station, are the first of seven centres which will open in coming month as part of the government's £50 million scheme to improve services outside hospitals.

Further centres at London Canary Wharf, King's Cross and Victoria stations, as well as Leeds City Station and Newcastle Central Station will follow.

The new centres will give workers the chance to see a doctor or nurse on their way to work. They will open between 7am and 7pm and patients will not need to make appointments.

The centres will offer a range of services, including treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, prescriptions and healthcare advice.

Experienced nurse practitioners will staff the centres, supported by GPs and practice nurses. Independent healthcare firms will run the centres under the NHS banner and services will be free to NHS patients.

The centres are expected to handle around 43,000 patients each year.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "The public has told us that they want faster, more convenient NHS services. Many banks and supermarkets are now open round the clock - the NHS needs to move to match people's expectations for extended opening hours.

"New commuter centres, like those in London and Manchester, are a step towards meeting the needs of today's patients, as they will offer advice and treatment outside of GPs' traditional opening times, right on the doorstep of many people's workplace."

Ms Hewitt said that other possibilities, including the extension of opening hours for existing GP surgeries, would also be examined in the forthcoming health White Paper.

(KMcA)