Next steps for the district’s walk in service approved at local Partnership committee meeting

A proposal to relocate the district’s walk in service within the city centre has been approved.

The agreement to find alternative premises for the service, which currently operates from King Street in Wakefield, was made at the Wakefield District Health and Care Partnership committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday 23 May).

Work will now begin to find suitable alternative premises within the city centre. The lease on the King Street building comes to an end in June 2024.

The walk in service is commissioned by Wakefield District Health and Care Partnership and delivered by Local Care Direct (LCD) from the walk in centre on King Street, Wakefield. The contract with LCD has been extended until March 2025, to ensure that the service continues to operate whilst the work takes place to relocate the service.

Jo Webster, Accountable Officer for the Wakefield District Health and Care Partnership, said: “We know that a walk in service in a safe location, accessible via public transport and with parking close by is important to local people so we will make sure this is taken into account as we look for suitable new premises. We have a contract with Local Care Direct until March 2025, to ensure that the service continues to operate whilst the work takes place to relocate the service within the city centre.”

Simon Lightwood MP, said: “I’m delighted that the walk-in service will be remaining in Wakefield city centre at a new location, serving some of the most vulnerable members of our community and maintaining accessible transport links.”

The walk in service has been under review since 2022 to make sure that the local NHS is offering the services that meet the needs of local people and make best use of workforce and public funds.

Public engagement specifically to seek views on walk-in and urgent care services in Wakefield was carried out between November 2021 and January 2022. Feedback was gathered from people about what they valued about urgent care services, including ease of access by car or public transport, being seen on the same day and good links to other services.

The walk in service is a nurse-led service, open seven days a week, 365 days a year, between the hours of 10am and 10pm.

The service has a dedicated team of experienced clinicians including advanced nurse practitioners who can assess, diagnose and treat a range of minor illnesses and injuries, including:

• ear, nose and throat problems
• sprains and strains
• wound infections
• minor burns and scalds
• minor head injuries
• skin conditions
• minor respiratory conditions
• mild abdominal pain or discomfort
• insect and animal bites and stings
• minor eye problems
• minor injuries to the back, shoulder and chest
• wound dressings
• emergency contraception

The service is open for anyone over the age of six months who needs same-day care.

ENDS