What to expect
Our walk-in centre provides a comfortable and relaxing environment with access to nurses, GPs and physiotherapists.
No appointment is necessary, but you are welcome to contact us if you want to arrange a specific time.
When you visit, you will be registered at reception, and receive treatment within 30 minutes.
If you need urgent treatment, we will refer you directly to the nearest suitable hospital.
If we issue you with a prescription, you will be able to take it to a number of chemists near to the centre.
At the end of your visit, we prepare a summary to send to your GP . However, we will only do so with your consent, and respect any wish you may have to keep the discussions confidential.
We compile statistical reports for the Department of Health on the work we have done, but this is on a strictly anonymous basis, and no individual patient details are disclosed.
If you'd like to find out more about the services offered at the walk-in centre, then read the stories below.
More than 30,000 patients walk-in
Leeds NHS Walk-in Centre has now treated more than 30,000 patients since opening in February 2007.
The centre has a commuter focus and was set up to provide easier access to healthcare.
Run by independent provider Netcare UK, it is housed in The Light Shopping Centre on the Headrow, one of the main streets in central Leeds.
As the name suggests, patients can walk in without an appointment to see a GP, nurse or a physiotherapist and rarely have to wait longer than ten minutes.
It is open from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and is open on all Bank Holidays except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Gina Holmes, nurse practitioner and practice manager, said: “The average waiting time for a patient to be seen is less than ten minutes and most of our patients are seen, treated and leave the centre within 20 minutes of arriving.
“Our patient satisfaction survey shows an overall satisfaction rate of 95.7 per cent, which is excellent and reflects the hard work and commitment of all the team.”
She explained: “As soon as a patient walks in, the receptionist will find the first slot which may be with a doctor, a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse or a physiotherapist, depending on the treatment they need.
“Most of the patients come in with minor conditions such as sore throats, coughs and muscle-related injuries.
“We don’t treat chronic conditions, so for example, if we see a patient with asthma, we will suggest they go to their own GP because it needs to be monitored,” said Gina.
Ash McDonagh, was the 10,000th patient to be treated at the centre, after the 28-year-old, who works and lives in the city, sprained her elbow at the gym.
“A colleague at work recommended the service but I didn’t think I could get there, be treated and then get back within my lunch hour. But it was so quick – I only had to wait five to ten minutes to see a nurse. The service is great – it’s so handy and central,” she said.
No suffering in silence
My back started hurting about seven years ago but it hasn’t been too bad until this year. On Sunday, I bent forward and it was really painful and I decided I needed to see someone,” said Jill Newton, one of Leeds Walk-in Centre’s patients.
According to part-time physiotherapist Michelle Walker, Jill’s back problem is typical of the cases that she sees during the week.
“People often suffer with muscle complaints for months, or even years because they think it will have gone away by the time they get to see their GP and are then referred to a physiotherapist.
“However, if the injuries are nipped in the bud they will clear up quicker, potentially preventing it from becoming a chronic problem, needing more treatment.”
Jill, a transport officer at Leeds Metro, decided to come to the centre after picking up a leaflet from Leeds Railway Station.
During her 20 minute consultation, Michelle taught her exercises to strengthen her back and posture, and she left feeling relieved that she had finally addressed her problem.
“I didn’t realise there was a physio here until I walked in. It’s a brilliant service and I’m going to tell everyone I know about it!,” she added.
James Wright, insurance salesman from Bingley, Yorks, had also been suffering in silence for three months. He visited Michelle with a niggling pain in his elbow.
“Someone gave me a leaflet about it and then another person recommended the centre so I decided to come in and make an appointment.
“It’s a lot easier than going to my GP because I’d have to have taken time off work. I’ve been shown how to do some exercises to work on my bicep and we will have to wait and see.”