Walk-in hours cut at four Derbyshire NHS urgent treatment centres

NHS bosses have announced a reduction in walk-in opening hours at four urgent treatment centres (UTCs) in Derbyshire.

From Monday, walk-ins will no longer be available between 17:00 BST and 20:00 at UTCs in Ripley, Ilkeston and Matlock, and will be appointment only via NHS 111. Walk-ins will also no longer be available in Buxton after 16:00.

Derbyshire Community Health Services said the changes were being introduced to “help manage increasing demand and ensure patients are assessed and directed to the most appropriate service”.

Labour MP for Erewash, Adam Thompson, said he was “very disappointed” at the move and is seeking a meeting with health bosses to reinstate evening walk-in appointments.

The news comes after Ilkeston UTC, based at the town’s community hospital, shut in June 2024 as “a short-term measure” during a shortage of staff.

It reopened soon after with appointments only and walk-ins were reintroduced in March 2025.