Southport GPs are against the town’s call for a walk-in centre for children

A TOP Southport GP insists there is no need for our resort to have a minor injuries unit for local children. Dr Niall Leonard, a practitioner at Roe Lane Surgery, said kids with minor illnesses were best treated by their family doctors. It comes as NHS Sefton reported that the vast majority of local GPs are not in favour of the walk-in centre.


The health trust said that of 10 responses received, with 19 surveys sent out, nine practices supported the outcomes of the review, while another declined to comment.

Dr Leonard said the PCT was right to focus on investing in improving existing care facilities. He said: “Access to general practice [in the area] is good and this is where children with minor illnesses can be best treated.

“Many local GPs recognise the need to improve services and access to those services for children and their families and carers.

“This is particularly important for children with long-term conditions like epilepsy, asthma and diabetes and also those with complex needs and disabilities.”

Southport MP John Pugh has urged parents to lobby their doctor to press home the need for the walk-in centre.

He said: “I cannot believe they think we have an acceptable standard of service.

“We need our GPs to state clearly whether they believe its acceptable for every childhood mishap in a big place like Southport to necessitate a journey to Ormskirk.

“If your child falls over and cuts himself on the way to school or has some injury that needs checking out there and then should he have to leave town to get treatment?

source: Southport Visitor