People Power wins for Putnoe Walk-in Centre

Bedfordshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) attended a meeting of Bedford Borough Council's Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Committee last night to discuss the future of the Putnoe Walk-In Centre. They confirmed the Centre will remain open following the award of a new two-year contract to the Putnoe Medical Centre, and it's thanks to everyone who joined the campaign and spoke up in support of the service

Here are the CCG's own words to explain the change of heart, from a report to the Council scrutiny committee:

"Having listened to the views of 2,018 residents and received a petition of 1,600 signatures from Bedford's Liberal Democrats opposing the CCG's proposal, it was agreed that walk in services should be retained in the north of Bedfordshire, pending further work on the future of urgent care in Bedfordshire."

So a huge thank you to everyone who signed our petition, made submissions or did anything to speak up for the walk-in service. This is another reminder that your voice matters, and that campaigning for better for our community works.

On a less positive note, the opening hours are being reduced on weekdays, to 8am -2pm only (weekends hours are remaining as 8am-5pm). This is disappointing, and it could have been avoided had the CCG handled this much better.

The Liberal Democrats will keep working to seek the best possible service for residents. We will talk to users of both the Walk-In Centre and the new Urgent Treatment Centre at Bedford Hospital which opens next month, and will work with NHS commissioners and providers accordingly.

We will also be seeking progress on new extended hours arrangements at GP practices, which have long been promised and should improve access to care for people across the Borough.

Finally, thanks again to everyone who has supported this campaign!