A PETITION to save Accrington’s walk-in centre has topped 4,200 signatures.

The campaign has gained momentum since its launch two weeks ago by county councillor Clare Pritchard.

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It comes during East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) consultation period over closing Accrington Victoria Health Access Centre in favour of setting up "health hubs".

Health bosses said the hubs would be staffed by GPs and nurses and accessed by residents contacting their own GP practice.

Cllr Pritchard, who represents Accrington north on Lancashire County Council, said: “It is brilliant that it has gained this much support. It has gained far more momentum than I expected.

“Nobody from the CCG has approached me yet but I am hoping they are listening.

“People are saying that they want to keep this valuable resource, so what are they going to do?”

Proposals would see the service replaced with four hubs – in Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. These would be reached by a phone service offering access to GP services by appointment from late afternoon to 8pm Monday to Friday as well as some weekend appointments.

MPs from across East Lancashire will meet with CCG bosses to discuss the proposals on Monday, May 16.

MP Graham Jones said: “The GPs and CCG have been very sketchy about their proposals. I have deep concerns. My view is that if the CCG can provide a better patient experience and better patient service, I am for that.

“But I cannot see how replacing the centre with a telephone hub will improve the service.

“The closure of the centre would have a direct impact on the A&E if the new system does not work. There is already a significant waiting time at Royal Blackburn A&E, so where are the 34,000 patients going to go?

“I am meeting with the CCG on Monday to go over their proposals and to provide more details about how they think it is going to work.”

Negotiations are under way to extend the contract for Accrington’s walk-in centre from September to March 2017.

A spokesman for the CCG said: “We welcome the petition and encourage people to let us know what they think.

“The CCG is looking forward to meeting with Mr Jones and listening.

“We will review all of the feedback.

“The contract for the centre will finish in September but we are hoping to extend it again until March next year.”

To view the petition, CLICK HERE....