A WALK-IN centre is set to be closed down by next April.

Southend Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has outlined its intention to de-ommission the service at Pantile Avenue, and instead send patients to A&E.

Walk-in centres were pushed through under the former Labour Government, giving people a chance to see a health professional without making an appointment, but they have not eased the pressure on GPs in Southend.

The new scheme, to be piloted from April 2016, will see more “front door” staff in A&E, with the NHS claiming that many people who use the walk-in centre do not need to go to hospital or see a doctor anyway.

Instead, they will be directed to pharmacies, or back home to tend to themselves.

But critics claim it will further exacerbate waiting times for GPs, with the centre seeing on average 1,600 people per month.

Melanie Craig, chief officer of the CCG, said: “The conclusion of the contract for the walk-in service gave us an opportunity to review the local urgent care system more broadly.

“Our proposal, supported by the outcome of the consultation, is to develop a new service colocated with A&E which will ensure patients are being seen by the right service.”

Southend Hospital is in support of the plans, but local councillors claim that it would only increase parking issues on hospital site.

Lib Dem Mary Betson, who represents Prittlewell, said: “The extra people every month will put additional strain on my residents.”

But commissioners claim that A&E will only see 20 extra patients a day.

The walk-in centre is designed to serve Southend, Castle Point, and Rochford district.

One fifth of all attendees come from Castle Point and Rochford.

The CCG has been consulting on the proposals, and 61 per cent people surveyed said they were happy to see the service closed.

Commissioners will make a final decision when they meet on Thursday.