Health Secretary announces site of Scotland’s first walk-in GP clinic

The site of Scotland’s first walk-in GP clinic has been announced – with Health Secretary Neil Gray saying the new facility will be help ensure more people “get the right care, in the right place, at the right time”.

Mr Gray visited the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre in Edinburgh, where the first of the 15 new walk-in centres will be housed.

First Minister John Swinney initially announced plans to establish the new clinics – which will be open between noon and 8pm seven days a week – in his speech to the SNP conference last October.

And in this week’s Scottish Budget funding of £36 million was announced for the project – which Mr Swinney has said will help tackle the so-called “8am rush” for doctors’ appointments.

The centres, which will be staffed by doctors and nurses, should provide over a million more appointments, the First Minister said.

The units will provide assessment and treatment for people with urgent but non-emergency medical problems, where patients need to be seen the same day but do not require hospital care.

Speaking as he visited the Wester Hailes site, Mr Gray said he was “determined to keep driving forward improvements” in the NHS.

Speaking about the Budget funding announced for the walk-in centres, the Health Secretary added: “This £36 million investment will help more people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“Walk-in services will make it easier to access urgent care on the day it’s needed, while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals.”

Mr Gray continued: “Open seven days per week, between 12pm-8pm, our new walk-in centres will ensure people can get the care they need at a time that works for them – and will deliver over one million additional GP and nurse appointments.

“The funding for the walk-in services is just part of almost £22.5 billion allocated to health and social care, including a record £17.6 billion for NHS services and resources.

“Our continued investment in the NHS is allowing us to target areas which are experiencing long waits, reducing backlogs, and getting people the appointments and treatments they need as quickly as possible.

“I am determined to keep driving forward improvements so everyone can get the care they need, when they need it.”

Tracey McKigen, director of primary care at NHS Lothian, said the health board was “working closely” with the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre to deliver the new walk-in GP service.

She stated: “While plans are still being refined, we believe the new service will help improve access to primary care and complement existing local health services.”