ACCEPTING the reduced hours of Salisbury walk-in centre is not an option, according to the woman who started the petition to keep its full-time hours.

Jen Nelson, whose campaign on the national petitioning site 38 Degrees has amassed more than 2,000 signatures, is still disgusted by the original decision taken by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and is dismayed by Salisbury City Councillors appeased attitude following a meeting between them and the members of the commission.

In the meeting, the CCG apologised for the lack of communication and admitted that there had been mistakes made.

Commissioner Dr Toby Davies said: “We will not be closing the walk-in centre, it is a vital service.

“Unfortunately there is a lack of staff, and the centre costs more than a general practitioners, so we had to make a choice.”

Cllr Atiqul Hoque, had written a letter to the CCG on August 8, detailing his issues with the initial reduction.

These included the lack of consultation regarding the reduction, the proposal for the cuts being at odds with the original public assurances, and the effect the reduction of opening hours will have on users that are not registered with a local GP .

On hearing the apology from CCG, Mr Hoque was satisfied there was sufficient reassurance that the centre will not close.

Mrs Nelson says this does not settle the matter.

“How can they justify reducing the hours? It is just not good enough, we have a city that is full of tourists. Where do they go if something happens?”

With a lack of funds, Mrs Nelson appreciates this reality.

She said: “I have so much respect for the NHS, but the reality is that A&E will see an increased number of patients and this will lead to further problems.”

The petition can be signed at: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-salisbury-nhs-walk-in-centre-open-84-hrs-a-week#