A NEW NHS walk-in medical centre for Prestwich has been welcomed by councillors: but concerns were raised about a possible lack of car parking spaces.

Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) is to build its second walk-in centre in the borough after a successful bid for a grant £500,000 from the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority.

Subject to planning permission the facility, which will provide on-the-spot medical treatment seven days a week, will be up and running by April.

The PCT aim to build a two-storey extension to Prestwich Health Centre, which is situated on the corner of Fairfax Road and Rectory Lane.

On the ground floor will be the walk-in centre, including three consulting rooms, a treatment room and public waiting room.

The first floor will not be open to the public but staff will operate a link to the GP out-of-hours service BARDOC, there will be an education/meeting room and a staff rest room.

The walk-in centre is expected to be open from 7am to 10pm and operated by nurses with the support of GPs and practitioners.

They will be able to offer advice and treat minor injuries and ailments without having to book an appointment and the facility will work with North Manchester General Hospital to try and streamline the accident and emergency procedure.

A presentation of the proposals was given to Prestwich area board on Tuesday by Coun Steve Treadgold, who works for the PCT, and Anne Coates, director of primary care and modernisation.

Coun Wilf Davison said: "As a local councillor I would welcome this type of facility. It is a major uplift to what we have already. However, I am interested to see what plans there are for increased parking facilities as the car parking at the moment is inadequate."

His concerns were echoed by other members of the area board who pointed out the traffic flow along Fairfax Road would increase after the residential development was built on the former Sainsbury's site.

Coun Treadgold said a number of parking spaces would be released when Prestwich Pharmacy was relocated from its temporary position on Fairfax Road car park and added: "This type of facility tends to be used more out of hours, after 7pm, when the traffic is less."