'This is a very important step' - out-of-hours Urgent Care Centre at Harborough's St Luke’s Hospital re-opens

A veteran health campaigner is welcoming the fact that an out-of-hours Urgent Care Centre at a Market Harborough hospital has re-opened.

Cllr Phil Knowles spoke as the “vital resource” at St Luke’s Treatment Centre Hospital on Leicester Road is operating once again.

The centre is back open after being closed over six months amid the shattering Covid-19 outbreak.

“This is a very important step and it’s excellent news.

“We had to battle tooth and nail for nigh on 30 years to get St Luke’s Hospital opened here in Market Harborough in the first place,” said Phil, who leads the Liberal Democrats on Harborough council.

“So it’s crucial that people here can once again go along to the out-of-hours facility at St Luke’s.

“They have been forced to go out of town to the likes of Oadby, Kettering and Corby on an evening or at a weekend for the last few months.

“Firstly, that’s not been good during the coronavirus pandemic.

“And secondly, it’s much easier and much more practical for older people, especially, to travel to see a doctor or nurse here at our fine hospital on the edge of Market Harborough rather than have to troop to another medical centre miles away.

“But we should also emphasise to people that you cannot just turn up on the spur of the moment at St Luke’s.

“To help beat the Covid threat, you must first call 111 or contact your GP practice to set up an appointment,” stressed Phil.