A Saturday lunchtime protest outside the NHS Bitterne Walk-in Centre spelled out objections to the health authority's decision to shut the facility for good on October 31.
• Decision to close NHS Walk-in Centre slated
Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition (TUSC) says 73% of people taking part in a consultation about the NHS facility opposed closure, and campaigner Nick Chaffey called on the local MP, and the leader of the council, to "refer the decision to the secretary of state for health".
Use the player or click to hear TUSC's Nick Chaffey speaking at the protest (1min 30)
Chaffey, above, said Itchen MP Royston Smith (Con), and Southampton City Council leader and Bitterne councillor Simon Letts (Lab), should "refer the decison to the secretary of state for health", which he claimed would prevent the closure from immediately taking place.
And he rejected the alternative health provision put forward by Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for when the Walk-in Centre closes, which is for patients:
- To ring NHS 111 (free 24/7: "offers access to out of hours GPs")
- To get advice for minor ailments and injuries at local pharmacies
- To use the Minor Injuries Unit at the Royal South Hants Hospital
- To use GP surgeries
The CCG stresses Bitterne Health Centre isn't closing - only the Walk-in Centre.
Previously: Decision to close NHS Walk-in Centre slated
