A FINAL decision on the future of NHS walk-in centres in Stapleford and Kirkby-in-Ashfield will be made tomorrow.
The two centres, at Stapleford Care Centre and the Ashfield Health Village have been under review – and a decision is due to be made at an NHS Notts County board meeting tomorrow.
Options include closing the walk-in centres and integrating the services with the accident and emergency departments at the Queen's Medical Centre and King's Mill Hospital.
Other options include not changing the walk-in centres, or actually expanding the services they offer.
But bosses at NHS Notts County, which plans and pays for community health services in the county, say the reviews is necessary as the walk-in centres duplicate services offered by doctors, and do not represent value for money.
Stapleford town councillor David Grindell disagrees.
He has helped to run the Save Stapleford Walk In Centre campaign, which handed a petition signed by more than 1,200 residents to the health trust.
"Since the Stapleford walk-in centre was opened in 2006, it has been used by 22,000 people," he said.
"A lot of these people would have to use taxis to get to the QMC and the waiting times there are appalling.
"It's also incredibly difficult to get an appointment with your GP on the same day. Nobody wants to see it close."
More than 1,900 people took part in a 100-day public consultation, and the responses will be considered in the final decision.
While 39 per cent of people favoured integration with the emergency departments, 28 per cent say they want no change
Among people living in Stapleford who replied to the survey, 52 per cent wanted no change and 36 per cent wanted walk-in centre services to be expanded.
Councillor Jacky Wilson, leader of Stapleford Town Council, said: "The consultation was also carried out in places like Newark and West Bridgford, which are not really going to have a valid opinion on our walk-in centre.
"I've resigned myself to the fact that it's probably going to close, but I am really disappointed."
Zoe Butler, Head of Patient and Public Involvement at NHS Notts County, said she was pleased with the level of response to the consultation.
She said: "It's great that so many local people have had their say and helped to shape the consultation. We have analysed each and every response. This report will be presented to the trust's board for them to make their decision."
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