New clinics give 'faster care'

London has 14 walk-in centres

Five new NHS Walk-In Centres are being opened in London to provide more speedy access to treatment, the government has announced.

The centres will be set up in Newham, Ilford, Barking & Dagenham, Romford and Harold Wood, all in east London.

These are in addition to the 14 already open in the city and the seven new clinics announced over the last year.

The centres have proved popular as they offer advice and treatment without an appointment.

In total the creation of 16 new NHS Walk-In Centres across England, at a cost of £12m, are being announced - bringing the total number to 81.

The government says more than four million people have attended the clinics country-wide since the first was opened in 2000.