Health chief approves plan to find new Wakefield city centre base for NHS walk-in centre

Health chiefs agreed proposals to find new premises for the service, which is currently based on King Street.

More than 2,000 people signed an online petition calling for the centre to be saved over fears that it would be permanently lost.

An agreement to find alternative premises was made at the Wakefield District Health and Care Partnership committee meeting on Tuesday (May 23).

Work will now begin to find a new location.

The lease on the King Street building comes to an end in June 2024.

The walk-in service is commissioned by the partnership and delivered by Local Care Direct (LCD) from King Street.

The contract with LCD has been extended until March 2025 to ensure that the service continues to operate while new premises are found.

Jo Webster, accountable offficer for the 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.”

Wakefield MP Simon Lightwood made the issue a key focus at his by-election campaign last year, claiming it could lead to a “healthcare black hole”.

Mr Lightwood 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.”

The service has been under review since 2022.

A public consultation was carried out, seeking views on walk-in and urgent care services.

Feedback was gathered from people on what they valued about urgent care services, including ease of access by car or public transport and being seen on the same day.