Redbridge CCG want to reduce the number of walk-in centres and increase the number of emergency appointments.

The area’s Clinical Commissioning Group is proposing changes to the way it provides urgent care and is still running a public consultation on the proposals.

The consultation is due to close at 5pm on Tuesday September 4 and the CCG want to hear from more residents before then.

Representatives from the group have been out and about across the borough talking to local people to get their views and has received hundreds of responses so far, but you still have time to have your say.

Urgent care services are for when you have an urgent problem, but one that doesn’t require a visit to A&E and you can’t see your own GP.

The services include GP evening and weekend hubs, and local walk-in centres (including Loxford Polyclinic).

The CCG wants to make it easier to book urgent appointments by calling the NHS 111 service and to move away from ‘walk-in’ services, citing long waiting times at current walk-in centres.

The walk-in centre at Loxford Polyclinic in Ilford Lane is currently open from 8am to 8pm every day and provides 14,000 appointments a year.

As part of its proposals, the CCG wants to change the walk-in service at the site to a bookable one, with appointments available when you call NHS 111.

The group believes this would shorten waiting times and allow patients to be seen more quickly and at a more convenient time.

The CCG has reassured patients that the Loxford Polyclinic will still offer 14,000 appointments a year – with the same care, same numbers of patients, and shorter waiting times – but with a different way of booking appointments.

A spokesman for Redbridge CCG said: “The CCG believes everyone will get better, more consistent urgent care if it makes 111 the number to call for urgent health care advice and services in the area.

“NHS 111 has a confidential interpreter service available in many languages and a text phone service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, making sure it is accessible for all.”

“The consultation is not proposing any changes to emergency care services or changes to the A&E services at any of our local hospitals.

Click here to register your response to the consultation.