Closure of Walk in Centre

NHS Walsall today confirmed that the Walk in Centre in the old Market Square will close its current form on 26 September 2008 with a view to re-opening as a GP led Health Centre in April 2009.

A skeleton staff will remain on hand from 8am until 6pm Mondays to Fridays to inform people who drop in of where they can access services which would previously have been available at the Walk in Centre. Most services will be provided by local GPs but sexual health and contraceptive advice will also be available at the Hatherton Centre in Hatherton Street and through Pharmacists.

Paul Jennings, Chief Executive of NHS Walsall, said: ‘We have worked hard to keep the time when there is no Walk in Centre in the town centre to a minimum. We recognise that this is going to be inconvenient for some people and we are doing everything we can to minimise the disruption. When we consulted earlier in the year about this there was a lot of enthusiasm for a GP led health centre and I’m convinced it’s the right thing to do. If anyone is concerned about the future of their treatment they can ring Pals on 01922 618358.’

For patients who have been referred by their GP or healthcare professional a selection of services will continue to operate from this site. These include Community and Emergency Dental services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Hearing Therapist, Walsall Pregnancy Help, Health Trainers, Substance Misuse, Audiology and Dietician Services

The new GP led town centre will open on April 1 2009 and will be open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week providing a full range of GP and nurse services for every resident of Walsall.