Newcastle NHS walk-in centre shut for another six months

The Westgate Road walk-in centre has been shut since November 2022

An NHS walk-in centre shut because of staff shortages will stay closed for at least another six months, bosses say.

They also warn it is "difficult" to see Westgate Road Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) in Newcastle reopening.

A "different configuration" of services is being considered that could see a number of "health hubs" introduced.

Labour councillor Shumel Rahman told Newcastle City Council's health scrutiny committee a "really radical" solution was needed.

He said he was "really quite worried" about how the city's urgent care centres would be able to cope with the demands of a growing population.

A North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) report reveals plans for "geographically spread community health hubs" across the city, with GP or nurse-led services for both walk-in patients and bookable appointments.

These could include a walk-in centre at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), which could open round-the-clock and free up space in A&E by treating minor injuries and ailments.

'Mixed messages'

However, the report warns the plans could prove "extremely difficult" and may not be quickly achievable, especially given the RVI would need "extensive redevelopment" of its limited space.

ICB director Joe Corrigan said staffing shortages remained and it was "difficult" to see them being reversed to allow the Westgate Road centre to reopen.

His report said keeping the centre closed would "avoid mixed messages and confusion for the public".

Reducing hours or closing at short notice had been "a frequent occurrence" in the past, it said.

The centre stopped operating in November 2022 and is likely to remain shut until at least the end of March next year.

Patients have had to travel to Newcastle's two remaining urgent treatment centres (UTCs), on Ponteland Road in Cowgate and Molineux Street in Byker, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.