SIR – I felt it would be a great loss if the walk-in medical centre in Barkerend were to be axed, so I was grateful to read that the contract has been extended (T&A, April 13).
Originally set up to meet the needs of those people without a GP or who couldn’t access an essential appointment, the intention appeared to be very much in the patient’s interest. To visit the centre, one doesn’t need an appointment – it is open 365 days a year outside office hours.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t need much imagination to recognise why it failed to meet its purpose. I don’t confess to have all the answers, yet I can appreciate the benefits of such units to relieve pressure on existing GP services and A&E at BRI.
We have heard in the media how many A&E units across the country are at crisis point, so if there are facilities which will not only relieve pressure on staff working in these units, as service users we should welcome these alternatives, not close them down!
They have been proved to be extremely effective in many areas across the country fulfiling the purpose they set out to achieve to meeting the needs of Primary Health Care in the 21st Century, yet it is only the service users who will change the demands for their own benefit.
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