Many NHS Walk-in-Centres have been closed or are now appointment-only, so too many people with minor injuries or illnesses are not able to be seen, and are attending A&E departments instead. The wait to be seen in A&E can be several hours, even for people with acute or serious illnesses.
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Having more walk-in-centres should help to take the pressure off A&E departments and help those who need the care most to be seen earlier before their illnesses become life-threatening. Research shows that the mental health of frontline NHS staff, including those in A&E departments, is suffering. The NHS needs funding to create more facilities.