THE number of patients treated at York's walk-in medical centre has risen an astonishing 300 per cent since its first year.

In 2000, 10,276 people accessed instant health care at the clinic in Monkgate.

But by last year, patient numbers had soared to a staggering 39,027 - almost a four-fold increase in four years.

The centre gives patients easy access to health information, advice and treatment for minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds and infections, and injuries, including strains, sprains and cuts, without needing to book an appointment.

The walk-in centre, staffed by trained professional nurses, aims to reduce the burden on GPs and Accident and Emergency departments. It opens every day from 7am to 10pm.

Hugh Bayley, Labour MP for City of York, praised the walk-in centre's "brilliant" staff.

He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the then Health Secretary Frank Dobson when walk-in centres were introduced.

He said: "The walk-in centre provides a brilliant service. I have taken my children there and used it myself. Only today, the practice nurse at my local GPs could not make me a convenient appointment to get my ears syringed, so she suggested I use the walk-in centre.

"It has taken some time for people to get used to the idea of using them, but now it's going well.

"The figures show that it is widely used and it takes an enormous amount of pressure off hard-pressed GPs and casualty departments at hospitals.

"People would now feel badly let down if the service was not there."

Mr Bayley uncovered the figures after asking a Parliamentary written question to Health Minister Melanie Johnson.

He has used York's walk-in centre after suffering a wound playing rugby league. His son, Ben, was also treated at the centre after picking up a football injury.

Nationally, walk-in centres have treated more than five million people since they were introduced in 2000. They see an average of 115 patients a day.

There are 57 centres across the country.

Unveiling plans for seven more, Health Minister John Hutton said: "Walk-in centres will make it easier for people to fit seeing a GP or nurse around their daily lives. The opening hours and convenient location are ideal for meeting the needs of today's patients."

Selby and York Primary Care Trust's (PCT) director of health and social care, Heather Rice, said: "We are delighted with the success of the York walk-in centre. Since it opened four years ago nearly 120,000 patients have been treated by the service.

"The walk-in centre is now an integral part of the range of local health care services provided by Selby and York PCT.

"The PCT is committed to developing services within the community close to patients' homes, and the walk-in centre enables patients to access high-quality nursing care 365 days a year.

"The PCT is continuing to look at ways of developing services available, to ensure we carry on meeting the health needs of local people."

Updated: 11:11 Thursday, November 04, 2004