By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Darren Paffey, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, has made the case directly to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the reopening of an NHS walk-in centre in Bitterne during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Photo: Parliamentlive.tv

 

As reported, the Bitterne Walk-in Centre was closed a decade ago. 

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, July 9, Mr Paffey said residents in his constituency told him they still missed the Commercial Road walk-in centre.

Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey during Prime Minister\'s Questions on Wednesday, July 9. Picture: Parliamentlive.tv

“Can I begin by welcoming this government’s 10-year plan and its commitment to neighbourhood health services,” Mr Paffey said.

“As we put this plan for change into action for my local residents, does the Prime Minister agree that Bitterne is an excellent for the first new neighbourhood health centre.”

 Sign at the Bitterne Walk-in Centre

The Prime Minsiter paid tribute to the backbencher for making the case for his constituents and said health secretary Wes Streeting would give it “every consideration”.

“The 10-year plan will establish neighbourhood health centres in every community and that will make a massive difference starting in the places where the need is greatest and life expectancy at its lowest,” Sir Keir said.

“I am proud that we promised two million extra NHS appointments in the first year of a Labour government and we have now delivered four million and we shouldn’t forget that the record investment that made that possible in the budget was opposed by all the parties opposite.”

Flashback to protests in 2015 to save the Bitterne walk-in centre

The Bitterne walk-in centre was closed following a vote by Southampton’s Clinical Commissioning Group in September 2015 despite public opposition.

At the time, health leaders said the decision had been made to cease the provision and divert funds to other services.

Last week, the government published its 10-year health plan for England.

The 168-page ‘Fit for the future’ document centres on three “big” shifts to how the NHS works.

These priorities are around more care being available on people’s doorsteps and in their homes, new technology allowing people to manage their care as easily as they bank or shop online and trying to move from sickness to prevention.

The plan includes establishing a neighbourhood health centre in every community to serve as a “one stop shop” for patient care and the place where multidisciplinary teams will operate from.