title: Perceptions of healthcare professionals and managers regarding the effectiveness of GP-led walk-in centres in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify the perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding the effectiveness and the impact of a new general practitioner-led (GP-led) walk-in centre in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study was conducted in a large city in the North of England. In the past few years, there has been particular concern about an increase in the use of emergency department (ED) services provided by the National Health Service and part of the rationale for introducing the new GP-led walk-in centres has been to stem this increase. The five institutes included in the study were EDs, a minor injuries unit, a primary care trust, a GP-led walk-in centre and GP surgeries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers at an adult ED, an ED at a children's hospital, a minor injuries unit, a GP-led walk-in centre, GPs from surrounding surgeries and GPs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  11 healthcare professionals and managers were interviewed. Seven key themes were identified within the data: the clinical model of the GP-led walk-in centre; public awareness of the services; appropriate use of the centre; the impact of the centre on other services; demand for healthcare services; choice and confusion and mixed views (positive and negative) of the walk-in services. There were discrepancies between the managers and healthcare professionals regarding the usefulness of the GP-led walk-in centre in the current urgent care system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants did not notice declines in the demand for EDs after the GP-led walk-in centre. Most of the healthcare professionals believed that the GP-led walk-in centre duplicated existing healthcare services. There is a need to have a better communication system between the GP-led walk-in centres and other healthcare providers to have an integrated system of urgent care delivery.
authors: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Mubashir
authors: M
authors: Arain
authors: School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Baxter
authors: School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors: Jon P
authors: JP
authors: Nicholl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards*; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000145:classification*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT