NHS Ayrshire & Arran has welcomed confirmation from the Scottish Government that proposals for new GP walk-in services in Kilmarnock, Irvine and Ayr have been selected for further development as part of Scotland’s national Walk-In Services Pilot Programme.
The decision recognises the potential for the proposed services to improve access to primary care and provide patients with timely support closer to home. The pilot programme aims to test new ways of delivering care that make it easier for people to access the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
NHS Ayrshire & Aran will work with Scottish Government and local health and care partners to further develop the proposed models. This will focus on refining service design, workforce plans, implementation arrangements and the evaluation framework ahead of the pilot period, which is expected to run until the end of 2028/29.
While final approval remains subject to detailed business case development and assurance processes, Scottish Government has indicated they intend to proceed with plans for GP walk-in services in Kilmarnock, Irvine and Ayr, subject to the successful completion of this work.
Erik Sutherland is the Interim Director of East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, the lead agency for Primary Care Services for Ayrshire and Arran. He said: “We are delighted that the proposals for GP walk-in services in Kilmarnock, Irvine and Ayr have been selected for further development by the Scottish Government. This is an important step forward in our efforts to improve access to primary care and ensure people can receive timely support closer to home.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and our partners to refine the service models and ensure they meet the needs of our communities. While there is further work to do before final approval is secured, this announcement is a significant milestone in shaping future primary care services across Ayrshire and Arran.”
The announcement reflects the collaborative work undertaken by NHS Ayrshire & Arran, local authorities and wider health and care partners to develop innovative, community-based solutions that support sustainable access to primary care services.