Bury and Prestwich walk-in centre closures in care shake-up Published duration 18 January 2017

image caption The walk-in centres in Bury and Prestwich will close but will remain as healthcare sites

Two walk-in centres will close as part of a shake-up of urgent care to reduce hospital attendance and admissions.

The sites, in Bury and Prestwich in Greater Manchester, will shut so resources can be moved to NHS 111, GP surgeries and A&E departments.

Though popular, the service was deemed "confusing" and the changes are intended to direct patients to the "right care".

Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) approved the plan earlier.

However, protesters said the group had "ignored" their concerns.

More than 2,000 people signed a petition to save Moorgate Primary Care Centre and Prestwich Walk In Centre.

image caption Chairman Dr Kiran Patel said there was duplication within the current service

In the CCG's survey on the closures, 83% of just over 1,000 people who took part disagreed with the plans.

Andy Walker, from Ramsbottom, who is campaigning against the changes, said: "The CCG has completely ignored the results of that engagement exercise. Basically people in Bury will have to rely on the 111 service."

Following the decision, which was approved unanimously, an implementation plan will be produced for the restructure.

Bury CCG said staff at walk-in centres do not have access to medical records and direct patients to other services.

Under the new system:

The virtual clinical hub will continue to be developed to provide a local response to NHS 111 calls

An integrated model of care will be developed with A&E departments at Fairfield General Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital, in which minor care staff would be deployed

Current walk-in centres will remain as healthcare sites to deliver services within the new model

The report said: "The system will be easier to navigate; will be more responsive, with patients having care advice and treatment delivered by the right person, in the right place at the right time."

Chairman Dr Kiran Patel said many people attend walk-in centres for minor illnesses which could be managed at home.

"There is undoubtedly some duplication because people don't know which service is best for them," he said.

Bury CCG devised the new model following NHS proposals which said improving out-of-hospital services could reduce hospital attendances and admissions.

image caption Local activists outside the CCG meeting said the walk-in centres are "vital services"

It would mean urgent care would be "delivered as close to home as possible, minimising disruption and inconvenience for patients", the report said.

Mr Walker, who was protesting with Labour activists outside the meeting, said "thousands of people" use the walk-in centres, which "reduce the pressure on A&E departments, which are already overstretched".

Enid Shelmerdine said: "The other services are bursting, they do need these places. There are cuts right across the system and there's not enough money going in."