People in Hastings can now see a GP anytime between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week, after the new Walk In Centre opened its doors on Monday 21st June.
The new facility is located on the ground floor of the new Station Plaza Health Centre, and means that anyone, regardless of whether they are registered with the practice, with another GP surgery or not at all, can walk in and see a GP or nurse without an appointment.
This means it can be used by tourists, other visitors to Hastings, people who work but do not live in the town and people who are not registered with a GP for whatever reason.
Murray King, Head of Primary Care for NHS Hastings and Rother, said:
"People can register as patients with Hastings Walk In Centre, just like any other GP practice.
The difference is that the centre will also be able to look after anyone else who needs to see a GP or nurse, whether they live locally or are simply visiting Hastings or working in the town.
It is all about making it easier for people to get the care they need at a time and place convenient to them."
South East Health Ltd (SEHL) are running the centre which is close to Hastings train station.
Ron Owtrimm, Chief Executive of South East Health said:
"It is great that the new walk in centre is open for business. A great deal of hard work has been put in to make sure everything is ready to go, with all our staff geared up to start registering patients, as well as help anyone who wants to see a GP or nurse at a time and place convenient to them."
South East Health is a not for profit organisation that has grown from the original Seadoc and a number of other GP co-operatives who have provided urgent GP care whilst surgeries are closed.
They also deliver a number of other GP and primary care services working in partnership with Primary Care Trusts and Hospital Trusts throughout Kent and Sussex.
SEHL will be working closely with local GPs to ensure that the services offered by the new walk in centre are properly integrated into the local health care system and operate as effectively and efficiently as possible to deliver the best outcomes for local people.
