PLANS to close the walk-in centre at Brighton Station Health Centre have been put on hold.

The clinic, which allows patients to be seen by a doctor from 8am to 8pm seven days a week, was, claim Green councillors, set to close in March 2019.

But now they have said the city’s health chiefs confirmed it will still be running for an extra six months until September 2019.

Green councillors called for more information on the impact the closure of the walk-in centre could have on an ‘already stretched A&E’ at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

They said the city faces an estimated shortage of one GP to every 2,500 patients, a figure they claim is worse than other Sussex areas, and now the second worst ratio anywhere in England.

The Greens said around 400 patients a week are seen by clinicians at the walk-in centre.

Cllr Dick Page, health spokesperson for the Greens, said: “Although news that the walk-in centre will remain open for a further six months is welcome, we still have serious concerns over the future of non-hospital urgent care.

“Proposals to replace the centre with GP clusters seem vague and unrealistic.

“Given the numbers of patients that are likely to be diverted from A&E by the provision of a walk-in centre, including those who are transient, who have not registered with a GP, or who simply are not able to see their GP, any proposals to close it will need to be supported by a clear contingency plan.

“There also needs to be a clear and specific public consultation, laying out the facts, finances and options, without any spin.”

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove CCG however said there were never any initial plans to close the walk-in centre and it will keep running as normal.

He said: “The provider of the walk-in centre at Brighton Station continues to offer health care for non-urgent medical conditions without an appointment for residents and visitors to the city on an ongoing basis, from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week (including bank holidays).

“As residents would expect, we look at options for how to improve same day and urgent medical treatment for patients in the city to help ease pressure on Emergency Departments and local GPs, but there are no plans in place.

“General Practice services across the city are facing the same pressures that are being reported from around England.

“As a statutory public body, we work within the current policy and framework set out by NHS England and will continue to do so to ensure patients receive on going high quality GP services.

“We have put extensive measures in place to support GPs in the city, including financial and educational support to help them run their surgeries more effectively and efficiently to free up doctors to provide more care for patients.

“One surgery saved the equivalent of seven weeks of consultation time per year through a change in repeat prescription process.”