A CAMPAIGNING Bolton MP is calling on the Government to reintroduce NHS walk-in-centres to ease the burden on A and E departments.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby has tabled a motion in Parliament asking for the centres to be brought back into use.

The move comes after another winter in which The Royal Bolton Hospital has seen huge demand — including waits of more than eight hours for some patients.

This was despite a high-profile campaign by the NHS, urging people to steer clear of A and E departments if possible.

This is the second time Mr Crausby has tabled a motion of this kind in Parliament — his first coming last year amid a campaign which specifically called for the Lever Chambers walk-in centre in Bolton Town Centre to reopen.

Speaking about his latest move, he said: “Last year when the Royal Bolton Hospital declared a major incident we were told it was a one off, an unusual spike in demand caused by the specific conditions of that winter. Now we see huge demand again and a system struggling to cope.

“It’s hard to get a GP appointment at short notice and A&E is too busy. If we had the walk-in centre in the town centre it would ease pressure on both of these services.

“I want the Government to recognise the important role that NHS walk-in centres play — they’re extremely valuable to people and I know that many wish we still had this service here in Bolton.”

The Labour MP said he agrees with the NHS that people shouldn’t be going to A&E with minor ailments, but says that demand is too high at GP services for people to count on a short notice appointment as an alternative.

He believes NHS walk-in centres like the one at Lever Chambers which was closed in 2012 fill the gap between these two types of service and take the pressure from both.

Mr Crausby’s Early Day Motion asks the Government to recognise the important role of walk-in centres and to provide funding to reopen them across the country.

The motion will remain on record in Parliament and other MPs will be able to add their name to show the Government they support the idea.