A LABOUR MP has been accused of "weaponising" the NHS in his campaign to get the axed walk-in centre at Lever Chambers re-opened.

David Crausby has come under attack from Cllr James Daly, who is standing against him for the Conservatives in May, for using the centre for political gain before the general election.

The MP for Bolton North East has been campaigning and collecting signatures over the past month calling for the return of the facility, which closed in July 2012.

It is understood that Mr Crausby did not speak to the Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) — the body responsible for the walk-in centre closure — before launching his petition, and has yet to meet with chairman Dr Wirin Bhatiani to find out whether its return is possible.

Cllr Daly accused Mr Crausby of "weaponising" the NHS — the same claim made about Labour leader Ed Miliband after it is alleged he secretly briefed BBC journalists on his intentions to use it as an issue before the general election in May.

Cllr Daly told The Bolton News: “It is strange that David Crausby, who did nothing to oppose the closing of Lever Chambers and has not done anything for its reopening over the last four years, that he is only now in the run up to the general election that he calls for the re-opening of the walk in centre.

“Mr Crausby is only interested in newspaper headlines and like his leader weaponising the NHS, rather than fighting for Bolton people.”

The Labour MP has hit back, saying he was motivated to start the campaign because of the crisis in the Royal Bolton A&E over the winter months.

“It is ridiculous to say this is electioneering, coming from the Bury councillor standing in Bolton North East”, Mr Crausby said.

“I am in this business to look after my constituents. It is an election period and I’m trying to take advantage of the truth — and what motivated me to set up this campaign is the crisis in A&E, which I believe is a combination of the lack of social care and the closure of the walk-in centre.

“This is a democracy, and the elected representatives should do what the people want.

“When they first proposed to close the walk-in centre I didn’t agree with them — people enjoyed that service, and I am in the business of trying to defend that.

“Dr Bhatiani has requested a meeting and I am happy to meet with him.”

A spokesman for the Bolton CCG confirmed Dr Bhatiani and Mr Crausby will meet to discuss the campaign next week.

She added: “We found that having several different choices for urgent care caused confusion and most people who used the walk in centre could have been treated elsewhere, such as their GP practice or local pharmacy.

“We did not see an increase in demand at A&E as a result of the closure of the walk in centre.”