Shrewsbury walk-in health centre will move in November
A walk-in health centre in Shrewsbury used by 34,000 people could be closed and moved to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as early as November this year, it has been revealed.
Health chiefs are proposing to move the facility in Monkmoor Road to the accident and emergency department at the town's hospital.
It would be the first phase in the long-term creation of an urgent care centre on the hospital site in a bid to drive down the number of people attending A&E and relieve pressure on struggling doctors and nurses.
Members of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust board were presented with the latest update on the move at a meeting yesterday.
They were told the move was expected to be confirmed at a board meeting of Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which has put forward the proposals, at a board meeting in September.
The group said evidence suggested patients who attended A&E could actually have their needs met by a GP. The centre would be open seven days a week.
Mrs Debbie Kadum, chief operating officer at the trust, said: "It is acknowledged that GP presence in the Emergency Department is likely to prevent admissions.
"An opportunity has arisen which enables the development of an Urgent Care Centre on the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital site this financial year.
"Subject to necessary approvals, the aim is to make this service transfer in November.
"This is just to give the board a heads-up about the progress with it really. If it happens it will be the first phase of development for the Urgent Care Centre."
