By Richard Johnstone | 31 May 2013
Health sector regulator Monitor is investigating reported closures of NHS walk-in centres and the effect on patient access to health services.
The foundation trust watchdog, which is also responsible for protecting the interests of patients following the government’s controversial NHS reforms, said there was anecdotal evidence that the number of centres had fallen although the exact figure was unknown. There are currently 369 'urgent care services' registered with the Care Quality Commission. These include a range of walk-in services, which can be run by hospitals, GPs, nurse practitioners or private providers.
Walk-in centres were introduced by the Labour government in 1999 to relieve pressure on GP surgeries and accident and emergency departments.
Executive director of co-operation and competition Catherine Davies said it was in the interests of patients for the regulator to find out why walk-in centres were closing and whether this affected patient choice and competition.
She added: ‘Walk-in centres are very popular with patients and the potential impact of such closures at a local and national level needs to be better understood.’
The review will also help the commissioners of the centres – NHS England and Clinical Commissioning Groups – decide if they should be maintained. As existing contracts with providers expire, NHS England has to decide whether to renew the deals, while local CCGs determine whether out-of-hours provision will continue.
Responding to the announcement, NHS England said the review could ‘provide a clearer picture not only of what is already being commissioned but of what is needed in the years to come’.
NHS Partners Network, which represents commercial and not-for-profit providers in the health service, welcomed Monitor’s announcement.
Chief executive David Worskett said that he had become increasingly concerned that some walk-in centres were being closed ‘even though they may be providing valuable access to primary care’.
He added: ‘We also believe that in some situations walk-in centres – or the absence of them – may be a factor influencing demand on A&E departments.
‘While walk-in centres are run by public and independent sector providers, the latter play a significant part in this type of service and we look forward to contributing fully to Monitor's review.’
