Lib Dems Call for Walk-In Centre's Future to be Guaranteed as One-Year Extension Plan is Revealed

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have called for Putnoe Walk-In Centre's future to be guaranteed, after health bosses revealed their plans for a maximum one-year extension for the service from September 2020

In a report going to be considered by Bedford Borough Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee next week, Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) states that it intends to extend the contract for the popular healthcare facility for 'up to a year' while a national review of access to primary care continues.

The current two-year contract was entered into a year ago after extensive campaigning efforts by local Liberal Democrats and others forced a u-turn by the BCCG over its plans to close the site.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Bedford & Kempston Henry Vann said: "Putnoe Walk-In Centre is a vital healthcare service which thousands of people depend upon when they and their loved ones need care. A one-year extension or less is simply not good enough for those people or for the staff.'

"A national review is no reason for the service to be threatened with another short-term deadline. We have enough local evidence of the critical need for this service. For example, last winter it played a vital role in relieving pressure on A&E and other services, and as another winter approaches it will do so again.'

"It's time Putnoe Walk-In Centre was put on a secure footing for the future. If you agree, please sign the petition at www.bedfordlibdems.org.uk/Walkin."

The BCCG report on Putnoe Walk-In Centre will be considered at the Bedford Borough Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 7th October, and can be found at Item 7 on the agenda: http://www.councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=670&MId=4962&Ver=4