Has Eastbourne walk in health centre been sidelined?
A friend was telling me of her recent experience with NHS 111 as she tried to get help.
She had phoned NHS 111 and told them she was feeling unwell. She also told them she was at Eastbourne Railway station. It was mid-morning.
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Hide AdShe was advised to find a cafe and have a drink (possibly low sugar level). If not feeling better to catch a bus and go to the DGH.
After several enquiries of shoppers as to a bus going to the hospital, she waited 25 minutes for a bus, then was told by the driver that it would be a 40 minute drive to the hospital.
At no point had NHS 111 informed her of the walk-in centre at the railway station.
Yet surely this is an example of how essential this facility is for Eastbourne.
The story also raises concern about the training and guidance of NHS 111 or was it a deliberate omission to sideline the walk-in centre which is under threat of closure?