Walk-in centres have closed in an ‘emergency step’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Two walk-in centres in Bury have been shut to ‘protect the public and staff’.
Both Prestwich walk-in centre, on Fairfax Road, and Moorgate walk-in, in Bury town centre, are shut.
The changes will be in place indefinitely, but have been described as ‘temporary’ measures by Bury’s One Commissioning Organisation.
The walk-in centre in Prestwich will become a coronavirus hub - a 24/7 advice centre dealing with non-urgent queries from people who have contracted the virus across the borough.
Staff at the hub will give advice over the phone, telephone consultations, face-to-face consultations and arranging GP home visits.
The service is only for people who already have coronavirus or have coronavirus symptoms and are unwell, but do not need a 999 response, says the OCO.
Access to the service will be granted via GPs or through contacting NHS 111.
In the first instance, coronavirus patients are being asked to seek advice online at www.111.nhs.uk , or ring their practices or NHS 111.
Jeff Schryer, Bury OCO chair, said: “We are making these temporary changes during this extraordinary time to protect the public and staff and to create a safe hub to manage coronavirus cases.”
Patients who need to access a dressing changes service during the walk-in centre shutdown should contact NHS 111.
People should continue to use www.111.nhs.uk in the first instance if they have any health concerns.
