Update: Bitterne Walk-in Centre's winter closure scrapped - BBC, Oct 31
John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen, has contacted constituents to canvass their views about the plan to close Bitterne NHS Walk-in Centre from December for what’s been described as a “six month pilot”.
Link to Rowenna Davis' petition calling for CCG to "think again"
But with widespread fears that the health centre’s closure could become permanent, the MP is calling on the Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to organise a public meeting to discuss their plans.
Weekday daytime hours at the centre, which offers treatment on the east of the city for minor injuries and illnesses with no appointment necessary, have already been slashed by what was NHS Southampton City Trust in 2011, from 8am-9.30pm to evening opening only during the week.
Now John Denham (left) says the CCG wants to shut the Bitterne NHS Walk-in Centre and spend cash saved on community nurses to look after older people. But he claims that in Southampton, over £16 million was wasted on the NHS reorganisation that no one wanted.
“That’s more the ten times the money that would be saved by closing the Bitterne NHS Walk-In Centre!” he says.
His letter is online, and the link to his survey about use of the centre is here.
Petition
Meanwhile Itchen Labour parliamentary candidate Rowenna Davis is inviting locals to sign an online petition calling for the CCG to “think again” over the closure.
One person who’s already signed is Bitterne Park resident Jed Gibbs, who says his family has made many visits to the Bitterne Walk-in Centre over the years, and has always been very happy with the quality of treatment they’ve received.
‘I'm appalled that this great centre faces closure’
“Three weeks ago our 19-month daughter received fantastic help from the staff, putting her on oxygen and a nebuliser for her chest infection, and fast-tracking her into the children's ward for further treatment. The alternative was a very long wait in A&E with the Saturday drunks. I am appalled that this great centre faces closure.”
Cllr Royston Smith, Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Itchen constituency, writes on his blog that Bitterne Walk-in Centre provides: “a valuable service for local residents and I know that many people will simply not want to lose it. I am unhappy that there is to be no consultation before the closure and I am sure people will be suspicious that it will never open again.”
He also says he’s sure it must be possible to run the service more efficiently and still be able to bolster community nursing. Cllr Smith invites people to contact him with their comments.
Links
What the NHS says about its 'pilot' closure
TUSC holds public meeting over Walk-in closure
