HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition against a decision to halve the opening hours at Salisbury's walk-in medical centre.

The popular centre at the central health clinic in Avon Approach will close during the day from Monday, August 1.

It will open only on weekday evenings (6.30pm to 10pm) and at weekends, when its hours (8am to 8pm) remain unchanged.

More than 2,000 people have joined an online campaign against the plans.

Health bosses at Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) say the changes are designed to ease the pressure on Salisbury District Hospital's accident and emergency department.

But many believe the changes will have the opposite effect, while depriving patients of a vital service.

Jen Nelson, who launched the online campaign, said: "This service serves the public very well and is well used.

"I believe that this is a crucial service, particularly because of the difficulty accessing health care both in normal working hours and [out of hours] services."

The decision will see the centre's opening hours halved from 84 a week to 41.5.

Currently it opens 8am to 8pm, 365 days a year.

Health bosses say the centre will have "an increased GP presence" in the evenings.

Dr Hugh Bond said: “By being open until 10pm every weekday evening and from 8am to 8pm at weekends and bank holidays, we will be supporting our local Emergency Department (ED) by giving patients access to our service when ED is at its busiest, and the GP surgeries are closed. We also expect our waiting times to reduce enabling patients to see a health care professional more quickly."

The CCG said most patients who visit the centre have minor illnesses like chest infections and sore throats, or questions about their medication.

Health bosses advise patients to visit their GP, go to a pharmacy, or ring the NHS 111 helpline during normal working hours.

And they advise patients with minor illnesses to use the walk-in centre in the evening, rather than visit A&E, "which is for emergency situations only".

The CCG, which is led by GPs, said it took he decision "after due consideration and debate".

It added: "The changes are to ensure that our finite and precious GP resources are being used in the best possible way, at times when patients’ own GP surgeries are closed and working to provide an alternative service for patients than attending the emergency department."

Kathrine Sealey wrote to the Journal: "It is deplorable that the hours of the walk-in medical centre will be cut so drastically. My family and I have found the centre to be invaluable when GP help hasn't been available.

"This was particularly the case when our grandson, then aged eight months, was very ill. Our daughter took him to the centre who assessed him and immediately arranged for an ambulance to take them to hospital. He had bronchiolitis and was treated overnight. Fortunately he recovered well.

"The Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group must keep the centre open for 12 hours every day as it is at present."

To view the petition, click here or visit you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/keep-salisbury-nhs-walk-in-centre-open-84-hrs-a-week