Liz McInnes challenges Health Secretary to support Middleton Walk-in Centre

Liz McInnes MP signs petition at Middleton Walk in Centre

Liz McInnes, Labour Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, has spoken in Parliament about the campaign to save the Middleton Walk-in Centre, asking the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt to help support the centre.

Raising the issue directly with the Health Secretary during a debate, Ms McInnes asked: "In my constituency we have an excellent and much-used facility, a walk-in centre in Middleton town centre, which is now threatened with closure. Will he support our campaign to keep it open?

"Does he agree that its closure would create more A&E attendances and increase winter pressures on our acute services?"

Of the debate and the Health Secretary’s response, Ms McInnes MP said: "I have been contacted by many local people about the possible closure of the Walk-in Centre and I have visited the centre myself to speak with staff and patients. It is clear to me that a majority of local residents do not want it to close, and so I was pleased to be able to ask the Health Secretary directly for his support. Unfortunately, he refused to do so and completely passed the buck to the local CCG. However, the campaign won’t stop and I will continue to do all I can to support residents and local health workers who are determined to keep Middleton Walk-in Centre open."