From October 1st 2015, the Walk-in-Centre at Market Square will change to an Urgent Care Centre which will provide health advice and treatments for illnesses or injuries which aren't life-threatening, but are too urgent to wait for an appointment at a GP Practice.
Work is currently underway for the development of the new Urgent Care Centre in Walsall town centre, to improve urgent care services for local people.
The NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) organised a public consultation from May to August 2014, where local people were asked where they thought the service should be located in the future. The CCG then gathered the feedback from local GPs and patients through widespread listening activities and in response to the feedback, the new service will continue to offer 'walk-in' appointments for advice and treatment for injuries and illnesses which are urgent but not life-threatening.
As part of the new contract, the new provider 'Primecare', will also run the Urgent Care Centre at Walsall Manor Hospital as well as the GP out-of-hours service. The organisation has expanded to become one of the UK's leading providers of primary health care services including 24/7 urgent care, Forensic Medical and Occupational Health services as well as GP-led NHS health centres.
Local GP and lead for Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Anand Rischie said:
“We are delighted to be planning this new Urgent Care Centre and are confident that it will improve access for local people to see a GP for minor injuries and ailments. Detailed plans for the new centre have been shared with patient and public representatives as well as organisations which represent carers, young people and people with disabilities. We’ve gathered useful feedback about design and accessibility and we’ll continue to involve local people as we develop the service.”
