England to have more walk-in clinics

Seventeen new walk-in health clinics are to be set up in England, bringing the total to 36, the UK health secretary, Frank Dobson, told the Labour party conference last week.

The centres will offer free consultations, minor treatment, and health information from7 00 am to 10 00 pm, including weekends. The clinics, along with the 24 hour NHS Direct telephone advice service, which covers 40% of England, are part of the government's 10 year programme to modernise the …