Clinics boost shopping centres, says NHS leader

Shopping centres have seen an increase in footfall after the introduction of health clinics, according to NHS leaders

Health clinics that have been opened in shopping centres in Wakefield and Barnsley have led to higher footfall in the local area, according to NHS leaders.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents health trusts, said a shift to providing more care in the community and away from hospitals could give local businesses and shops a boost.

Patients can access treatments such as blood tests, ultrasounds and X-rays at the neighbourhood health facilities.

Mr Elkeles, who visited the Wakefield centre, said it was "contributing to the rejuvenation of the local area".

Medical equipment such as scanners were installed in a former carpet showroom in a retail park near Wakefield city centre.

More than 120,000 patients used the centre in the past 18 months and businesses nearby had seen increased footfall, according to Mr Elkeles.

He said the move was a "win for patients and for the local economy" and he wanted to see "much more of this across the country".

"We need to make it easier for local authorities and the private sector to invest in NHS infrastructure - that will require a change in the rules," he said.

"Years of underinvestment, and dysfunctional spending rules under successive governments, have left the NHS with buildings and equipment that are too often outdated and unfit for purpose."

Wakefield has seen an increase in footfall since the introduction of the community diagnostic centres, NHS leaders said

Health minister Stephen Kinnock said the Wakefield centre was "changing how people access care".

"This is healthcare built around people's lives," he said.

"It is cutting hospital trips while boosting footfall and helping local shops."

In Barnsley, a health centre is planned for the first floor of the Alhambra Shopping Centre.

The former Wilko store will host hospital eye specialists and other outpatient services. It is expected to be fully staffed by 2028.

It follows the opening of a community diagnostic centre in The Glass Works shopping centre in 2022 in the town, which has seen hundreds of thousands of people attend appointments for things like blood tests, ultrasounds and X-rays.

David and Ang Thompson said it was easier to attend appointments in Barnsley town centre

Local resident David Thompson, 69, said the centre was "the best thing they've done in decades".

He said he previously had to travel to Barnsley Hospital for his appointments, where finding parking was a "nightmare".

His wife Ang Thompson, 68, said: "It's a lot better here, if you don't want to use your car you can come on the bus or just walk in - it's ideal."

Dianne Sykes, 68, agreed the service was "convenient" and said she now walked instead of choosing to drive.

"Barnsley Hospital was the only place you could go, but this is brill," she said.

Gary Cooper, 67, said the move meant he could combine the service with other errands.

"You can do a bit of shopping first, we don't come to town that often but we've had a little look around," he said.

Dianne Sykes said she now walked to appointments instead of driving

It is estimated that well over 100,000 visits a year could also be made to the new Alhambra centre instead of the hospital.

Leader of Barnsley Council, Sir Steve Houghton, said the initiative was "revolutionising how residents access health and wellbeing services".

He said the health centre would "reduce pressure on existing healthcare facilities, improve access and quality of care and attract even more visitors to Barnsley town centre".

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