NHS walk-in centres may not reduce workloads

Two studies show that the effect of NHS walk-in centres is unclear. Hsu and colleagues (p 530) measured the workload of general practices, minor injuries units, and emergency departments in one town before and after a walk-in centre was introduced and compared the results with those of a town with no centre. Although they found no significant change in the workload of general practices, the use of the minor injuries unit and emergency departments increased compared with the control town. Chalder and colleagues (p 532) used a time trend analysis in a region of England to assess the impact of walk-in centres on the workload of other local healthcare providers. Consultations at emergency departments and general practices geographically close to walk-in centres were slightly reduced, but out of hours consultations were not.

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Effect of NHS walk-in centre on local primary healthcare services: before and after observational study

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