Effect of NHS walk-in centre on local primary healthcare services: before and after observational study

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of an NHS walk-in centre on local primary and emergency healthcare services.DesignBefore and after observational study.SettingLoughborough, which had an NHS walk-in centre, and Market Harborough, the control town.Participants12 general practices.ResultsThe change between the before and after study periods was not significantly different in the two towns for daily rate of emergency general practice consultations (mean difference −0.02/1000 population, 95% confidence interval −0.75 to 0.71), the time to the sixth bookable routine appointment (−0.24 half-days, −1.85 to 1.37), and daily rate of attendances at out of hours services (0.07/1000 population, −0.06 to 0.19). However, attendance at the local minor injuries unit was significantly higher in Loughborough than Market Harborough (rate ratio 1.22, 1.12 to 1.33). Non-ambulance attendances at accident and emergency departments fell less in Loughborough than Market Harborough (rate ratio 1.17, 1.03 to 1.33).ConclusionsThe NHS walk-in centre did not greatly affect the workload of local general practitioners. However, the workload of the local minor injuries unit increased significantly, probably because it was in the same building as the walk-in centre.

What is already known on this topic

Walk-in centres are well established in North America but differ from NHS centres as they are run by doctors not nurses

What this study adds

Introduction of an NHS walk-in centre did not affect the workload of local general practitionersAttendance increased at the minor injuries unit, which was in the same buildingNon-ambulance attendances at accident and emergency departments decreased but not by as much as in the control area