MPs are putting pressure on to keep Bury and Prestwich walk-in centres open.

In what was described as a ‘constructive meeting’ with the head the clinical commissioning group Kiran Patel, Bury North MP James Frith pressed for a new consultation over the closures and provision made for a walk-in service in future plans.

Mr Frith said: “I made clear before the election that my number one priority was to save Bury Walk-In Centre and I was elected with over 25,000 votes, giving me a clear mandate to ask NHS Bury to reconsider their plans.

“I had a constructive meeting with the chair of the CCG in which I made clear the vital importance of the walk-in centre to the people of Bury, Tottington and Ramsbottom and my firm commitment to keeping this service.

“I’m pleased to say that the CCG responded positively and agreed to reflect on my comments. I will now press ahead with putting pressure on the government, in Parliament, to release the new guidance our local NHS is waiting for in order to move forward with plans to improve urgent care services in Bury.”

At the moment, both Bury and Prestwich Walk-in Centres remain earmarked for closure and a consultation into the redesign of the urgent care services in Bury is on pause until the guidance is available.

Both of Bury’s Labour candidates made the walk-in centres a key feature of their campaigns.

In the last month the provider, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, has had to close either Bury or Prestwich’s centre, for a day on six occasions due to staff shortages.

Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South, is also seeking an urgent meeting to express his ‘serious concerns’ about the closures.

He said: “The people of Bury South and North have spoken following the general election and they made clear they do not want to see their walk-in centres close.

“James Frith and I will do what we can to make sure both centres remain open.

“Bury CCG need to reflect on what the people want before taking anything to the next stage.”

Dr Kiran Patel, chairman of the CCG, said: “Having met with Mr Frith, who stressed the value that members of our community place on walk in services, we confirmed that we would take these strong representations into account in considering future options.”

Stuart North, chief officer for the CCG, says he is seeking clarification about when the government's guidance will be available and added that if delayed the CCG will "consider its position and options in relation to next steps in the consultation.”