A NEW manager has taken over a healthcare centre in Colchester.

North Colchester Healthcare Centre, in Turner Road, which includes the walk-in centre, is now run by service manager, Kathleen Cini.

She was appointed last month by Care UK, the Colchester-based independent health and social care company which runs the centre on behalf of the NHS.

Ms Cini, who has a wealth of experience in general practice and urgent care management, said she was very impressed with the way the centre is run.

She said: “I’ve spent a lot of time in my first few weeks listening to patients, both those registered with the practice here and those who utilise the walk-in centre, and the feedback is encouraging.

“The role of the walk-in centre is to offer patients a good service whilst also relieving pressure on the hospital A&E department.”

The number of people using the walk-in centre has been rising steadily since it opened in 2009.

In December, a total of 4,923 walk-in patients used the service and a further 2,194 used the blood-testing service in the same month.

Ms Cini added: “These figures show how popular the service is with local people.”

The centre is open 7am to 10pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year for walk-in patients with a minor injury or minor illness.

Walk-in patients visiting after 8pm are advised to call the centre on 01206 314015 before attending, to check the centre is still accepting patients.

On occasions, the service has to stop registration prior to 10pm due to excessive demand.

The centre also has a registered patient list and these patients are able to book appointments at weekends.