NHS: Walk-in Centres

Lord Harrison Excerpts
Thursday 11th October 2012

(12 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl Howe Portrait Earl Howe
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Many GP surgeries have extended opening hours. Some have walk-in centres attached to them but there is no general rule about that. The decision to open on an extended-hours basis is voluntary for GPs.

Lord Harrison Portrait Lord Harrison
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Does the Minister share my surprise that data are not available for the number of closures of such walk-in centres in the past two years?

Earl Howe Portrait Earl Howe
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My Lords, no. The previous Government did not collect the figures and we have chosen not to either. This is a decision for local commissioners and there is a limit to the extent that we can require the NHS to fill in forms and send them to Richmond House.