Walk-in NHS centres to close in Ashfield and Stapleford

Two Nottinghamshire walk-in health centres are to be closed and the service integrated into hospital emergency departments.

The centres, at Ashfield and Stapleford, will become part of King's Mill Hospital and the Queen's Medical Centre.

Bosses took the decision despite receiving a 3,000-signature petition calling for the services to be saved.

Managers said the centres duplicated services already offered by GPs.

The decision to close the two centres followed a formal public consultation.

The changes will not be implemented until after a meeting with Nottinghamshire County Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) next month.

Dr Doug Black, medical director from NHS Nottinghamshire County, said: "Today's decision shows the tough challenges the NHS is currently facing, and it was a difficult decision to make.

"We need to make sure the changes this brings are more efficient, avoid duplication of services and help patients get the right care, first time."