Karen Lee is to meet Health Minister Steve Brine MP next week over the closure of Lincoln’s Walk-In Centre, it has been announced.
Ms Lee previously asked to meet a minister during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in January, with Cabinet Office Minister David Lidlington MP – who stood in for Mrs May – saying he would ‘ensure a minister does see her about this’.
In a tweet, the Lincoln MP said: “After raising the question in the Chamber (again) I’m meeting [Steve Bine MP] next week to fight for Lincoln Walk-in centre.
“As MP I hope to persuade this Tory govt that the 94% of local ppl wanting it to stay open should be listened to. It’s [our NHS].”
The move was also opposed by nearly 3,000 students, who signed a petition by the University of Lincoln’s Students’ Union against the decision last year.
The centre officially closed on 25 February following confirmation by the Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) at a meeting last month.
In a statement released shortly after the meeting, Sarah-Jane Mills, chief operating officer at Lincolnshire West CCG, said the number of people using the centre had ‘dropped dramatically’.
“Evidence shows there is not a link between pressures at Lincoln County Hospital this winter and the reduction in attendances at the Walk-in Centre.
“The 25 per cent drop in attendances at the Walk-in Centre compared to the same time last year shows that patients are getting a greater understanding of the alternative services.
“They are also making use of them,” she said.