Guildhall walk-in centre to move to St Mary's Hospital

NHS Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) decided to approve the proposals put forward which will see the GP practise remain at Guildhall Walk until at least April 2017.

But the walk-in centre facility will be moved from July 1 with only registered patients allowed to use the current walk-in service at the practise.

St Mary’s Hospital will now have an improved walk-in centre with GPs on-hand between 8am and 8pm.

The proposals will also see the current pharmacy-based urgent care services extended to treat more illnesses and injuries and serve a wider range of people.

It comes despite campaigns by Portsmouth Liberal Democrats and Labour councillors to stop the move.

Innes Richens, chief operating officer for the CCG, said: ‘When we began this process our overriding objective was to start the essential work of improving urgent care in Portsmouth.

‘We believe that these proposals achieve that goal. However, during the consultation we also heard – loud and clear – that people were concerned about access to GP services in the city centre, and we believe that our plans address those concerns as well.

‘I know that people often think that consultations are a ‘done deal’, but I think the decisions we have taken today show that we have listened, and acted on what people have told us.’

A 14-week consultation was held with members of the public answering open questions at a number of different drop-in and consultation sessions.