Out-of-Hours NHS Changes Come Into Force in Market Harborough

Changes to out-of-hours NHS services have come into effect in Market Harborough today.

Patients can no longer walk in to the treatment centre at St Luke’s Hospital during evenings and weekends, and must now book appointments in advance.

Pic Andy Carpenter

Opening hours have also been reduced, with the service now closing at 8.30pm on weekdays instead of 9pm.

Weekend opening times have been cut from 9am–7pm to 9am–5pm on Saturdays and 10am–2pm on Sundays.

The changes are part of a wider shake-up across Leicestershire by the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, which says a new system will offer more same-day GP appointments overall from a wider range of locations, despite fewer being available at St Luke’s.

The move has drawn some criticism from politicians and residents.

There is no change to the daytime minor injuries service at the centre.