THE proposed closure of the borough's walk-in centres would be a boost to patients in Radcliffe, a GP has said.

Dr Ajay Kotegaonkar, who practices at the Spring Lane Surgery, says that just nine per cent of the people who use the two walk-in centres – in Bury and Prestwich – are from Radcliffe.

He told residents at Radcliffe Township Forum that if the £800,000 used to fund the walk-in centres was re-invested in other services, it would provide a more equitable urgent healthcare system for the area.

Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is currently holding a public engagement process over plans which would see the walk-in centres close next March and their resources diverted to other services, including the A&E at Fairfield General Hospital.

Dr Kotegaonkar said: "What we have found is that Radcliffe residents use the walk-in centres less than any other areas in Bury.

"Over the years, we have thought that it would be better to take that money and use it in other areas to make things more equitable for the people of Radcliffe.

"Only nine per cent of the 67,000 people who use the two centres are registered in Radcliffe. We welcome these plans because it will help to tackle some of that inequality.

"The walk-in centres are very much the domain of the people who live close to them.

"A re-investment of that money to provide urgent care in a different way would be beneficial to our community.

"I wouldn't prioritise any particular area, but whichever way the CCG chooses to re-invest the money will be of benefit to Radcliffe."

The CCG have said that the proposals have been designed to do away with the "confusing, complex picture" currently presented to patients seeking urgent care.

And Dr Kotegaonkar says that educating patients about the options available to them will be key to the new healthcare model.

He added: "I think patient education has to be a priority. We can’t provide absolutely everything, so it’s about finding the best way to get treatment.

“There is a degree of confusion over where to go. We have had extended opening hours in Radcliffe for a few years now, but some people still don’t know that you can get appointments at weekends.

“I think if you make people more aware of what the options are they will be able to choose better.”