WALK-IN CENTRES

That this House notes that A&E departments up and down the country are facing huge pressure from increased numbers of patients over the winter months with many of these patients being asked to seek alternative treatment at local pharmacies or GP surgeries instead of visiting A&E to reduce demand; recognises that one year ago a number of hospitals were forced to declare a major incident because they could not meet the demands placed on A&E services; further notes that NHS walk-in centres play a major role in reducing the numbers of patients attending A&E; and calls on the Government to actively encourage clinical commissioning groups across the country to reintroduce these much valued walk-in centres.