A TEMPORARY reprieve has been granted for the walk-in centre at Accrington Victoria Hospital.

NHS bosses have confirmed the centre, run by East Lancashire Medical Services, will remain open until September 30.

The announcement comes as East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) presses ahead with plans for extended opening hours for GP surgeries.

New health ‘hubs’ are being developed, beginning with one for Hyndburn, before the programme is rolled out to Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale and Ribble Valley.

Each borough will eventually boast a hub offering family doctor appointments until 8pm on weekdays and some weekends provision.

Sharon Martin, CCG delivery director, said: “We can genuinely say this new service will be designed by patients and GPs working in collaboration with the CCG.”

Extended opening hours at surgeries in both Blackburn and Darwen have been running through the last year.