Walk in centres
With funding from the Department of Health, the NHS has over 90 walk-in centres (WiCs) throughout England. These are mainly nurse-led facilities that provide treatment for minor ailments such as infections, lacerations (minor cuts or wounds) and fractures. No appointment is needed for this service. Over 3 million people use these services every year.
Sunderland currently has three walk in centres at Grindon Lane, Bunny Hill and Washington. A fourth walk in centre is under development at Houghton le Spring and will open later this year (2011)
Sunderland LINk is currently gathtering information on patient exprience of these services as part of our annual work-plan. We are preparing questionnaires and planning on site visits at walk in centres to talk to patients dierctly.