THE walk-in centre at Accrington Victoria Hospital could remain open for longer than expected following concerns over its future.

The Haywood Road centre currently provides additional GP services to patients in the borough from 8am until 8.30pm seven days a week.

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It was announced in December that the walk-in service would close next month, but NHS East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has now said that possibilities of extending this are being explored.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, who previously campaigned for the centre to remain open, said: “I don’t think that it should be closed, I’ve told them that on many occasions. If they are looking to extend it that is welcome in my view.

“It’s complicated but I think the walk in centre is better than the alternatives they have come up with. I will be writing to East Lancashire CCG in the next few weeks to express my opinions on this.”

Russ McLean, head of the Patient Voices Group in East Lancashire,has said that steps must be taken to avoid ‘catastrophic’ measures for people in the area. He said: “I think everyone is worried if the centre closes. If that happened it would have a catastrophic impact on factors for the care department. Places are struggling as it is at the moment without the extra demand it would bring.”

A concerned resident from Great Harwood said: “It’s disgraceful, it used to be a big thing in the area. People are just being told to go to A and E, to go and see their GP. We get told to just use our pharmacy, but a lot of them are closing or are already closed. We must not lose this centre by stealth or we could be left with nothing.We’ve got to campaign for it.”

East Lancashire CCG has said that options are being explored to make sure the needs of people in the area are met.

A spokesman said: “The CCG are working with the current provider, who is involved in the planning for the new service, along with other GP organisations.

“Given the tight timescales, we are keen to explore whether the current provider can continue to provide the service for an extended duration of time while the new service is finalised. We believe that this will give us sufficient time to ensure that the new service meets the needs of the population and is thoroughly bedded in before the walk in centre closes.”