Bolton's now has walk-in clinic - and will be officially launched tomorrow (Tuesday, September 5).
Bolton Health Hive is based in the Market Place Shopping Centre, next to HSamuel, in a bid to 'bring health to the high street'.
People can walk-in without an appointment to seek medical advice.
The idea is to provide services from a place that is easily accessible, at a time that is convenient without the need for an appointment, with trusted health professionals who have time to chat to people to alleviate concerns or nervousness.
The clinic started off as a walk-in Covid clinic and now has been expanded to deliver more health services.
There has long been a call for a health walk-in centre in Bolton after the closure of the one in Lever Chambers which prompted a huge outcry, with campaigners saying the lack of a such a health facility was putting pressure on other services, not least A&E.
Although this does not replicate the services provided at Lever Chambers it does provide a number of service, such as routine tests.
Dr Kamran Khan, Chair of Bolton GP Federation: "Bolton Health Hive, located in the Market Place shopping centre, is a facility created by Bolton GP Federation to improve access to general practice services for Bolton people – and we absolutely welcome anyone to pop in to receive a warm welcome and one of our services."
He stated that the walk-in-centre only provides certain services.
He said: "I would like to re-iterate that the Bolton Health Hive is a facility for all Bolton residents to access some of the services they would usually access at their GP practice, with no appointment required. This includes Covid and flu vaccines (subject to vaccine supply and eligibility), health checks, smear tests, and health and wellbeing advice.
"A full timetable of what is available at the clinic on each day, along with the locations for the Mobile Health Hive is available here: https://www.boltongpfed.co.uk/healthhive/. If anyone is unsure and wants to double check before travelling, they can call the Health Hive on 01204 916241."
Tomorrow, Bolton GP Federation Interim Chair and Vice Chair, Drs Kahn, and Saveena Ghai, will be joined by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Mohammed Ayub at 11.15am, to officially cut the ribbon and formally declare the Health Hive as ‘bringing health to the high street’.
The launch will also celebrate seeing more than 2,500 people through its doors since it opened earlier this year.
The Health Hive, is the first of its kind in Bolton and currently runs a number of NHS primary care services for and on behalf of Bolton GP practices, providing much needed additional space and helping people access important health and wellbeing support in a convenient location.
The main services delivered from the hive do not require an appointment, and people are welcome to walk-in any time Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, between 10am and 4pm.
Services are free and currently include health checks, Covid vaccines, blood tests, pill checks, social prescribing and advice and guidance on improving health, such as stopping smoking, losing weight, and getting active.
Other services, such as cholesterol management therapy, are available by invitation and appointment only.
Speaking about the official launch, Dr Khan said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Mayor of Bolton along to the hive, by way of a celebration of this fantastic facility in our town centre.
“We’re very proud of the hive and are looking to open others around the town.
“We have worked closely with our communities and partners to understand what people experience when trying to access health services.
“The hive is here to help remove some of the barriers that people tell us about, including by being easily accessible, with no appointment needed, and with trusted health professionals who provide a warm welcome and time to chat.
“Everybody is invited to call into the hive anytime and meet our friendly team down there - and why not get a free health check whilst you’re there?”
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.
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