Walk-in centre campaigners issue challenge to health chiefs

CAMPAIGNERS have challenged health chiefs to quantify how they will measure a successful transition after details were announced of a new service which is set to replace the Accrington Victoria walk-in centre.

The East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) released details of its ‘Extended Access GP service’ this week, with the phased scaling back of the walk-in centre due to start this weekend.

The CCG say that every GP practice in Hyndburn is involved in a new system, which allows patients to make out-ofhours appointments through their GP practice.

These appointments would be from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the evening during the week, and from 10am to 4pm on a Saturday and 10am until 2pm on a Sunday. They would be available in addition to the usual GP surgery opening hours from 8am to 6.30pm.

Walk-in centre campaigners have dismissed the replacement service, however - claiming the new system cannot accommodate demand.

Campaign leader Kimberley Whitehead said it has actually reduced the number of hours for which doctors would be available.

She said: “Let’s be clear, there isn’t any more GP availability being created by this new service. The available hours have been reduced to just 20 hours per week and we cannot see how this can accommodate demand. We would ask the CCG for more transparency of what the transition plan is and how the ‘improved’ service is being measured.”