A WALK-in centre could now remain open until spring next year in what would be a fifth stay of execution for the site.

Accrington Victoria Hospital’s GP centre had been due to close at the end of this month to be replaced with new ‘health hubs’ run by a consortium of GPs.

But health bosses from East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have confirmed the centre could now stay open for a further six months.

It means that a plan to close the walk-in centre, which had 44,000 patients last year, originally earmarked for closure in October 2015, would have been postponed five times.

The decision would come after fierce opposition to the plans and a petition, with Hyndburn councillors and MP Graham Jones speaking out against the proposals to close the centre.

Jackie Hanson, director of quality & chief nurse at East Lancashire CCG said the postponement would help deal with an increase in activity over the winter.

She said: "We have been listening to providers, partners and patients who have told us that while they understand the rationale for its closure, they felt it would be better to close the Walk-in-Centre in spring 2018 rather than during this autumn as this is a period which has typically become a period of exceptionally high demand for all health services.

“On this basis the Primary Care Committee at East Lancashire CCG has given the go ahead for talks to be held with a view to extending the opening of the Walk-in-Centre at Hyndburn.

“This would be for an additional six months past the originally planned closure of September 30, 2017.

“The CCG will keep everyone updated on the outcomes of these discussions.”

Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patients Voice Group, ‘welcomed’ the move, but said that the CCG need to keep the walk-in centre open permanently.