NHS Commuter Walk In Centres Near Rail Stations

Almost two thirds (63%) of commuters say they would use an NHS Commuter Walk in Centre if they were feeling ill, according to research by the MORI Social Research Institute.

Almost two thirds (63%) of commuters say they would use an NHS Commuter Walk in Centre if they were feeling ill, according to research by the MORI Social Research Institute.

The survey, for the Department of Health, shows commuters prefer to use the new centres on the way to work (36%) and on the way back home (32%). One in three (34%) say they would not use such a centre, citing preference to see their own GP as the most common reason.

Topline Results

  • Overall, 800 respondents aged 16+ have been interviewed
  • Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in street, at five main railway stations in England: Canary Wharf, Victoria and Euston in London, Manchester and Newcastle.
  • Fieldwork conducted between 21st and 28th October 2004
  • Results based on all respondents unless otherwise stated
  • Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding

Q1 Are you travelling to or from work?

  %
Yes 100
No 0
Don't know 0

I would now like you to imagine that you have had a sore throat for 24 hours or have been feeling ill. It seems to be getting worse, even though you are going to work.

Q2 If it were available, how likely would you be to use a free NHS medical centre at or near this station?

  %
Certain to use it 15
Very likely 27
Fairly likely 21
Fairly unlikely 9
Not very likely 19
Certain not to use it 7
Don't know 4
 
Likely to use 63
Not likely to use 34

Q3 Why would you not consider using it?Base: all not likely to use medical centre (272)

  %
Would prefer to see my GP 45
Sore throat not serious enough to seek medical help 28
Lack of time / in a hurry 9
I don't use this station often enough 7
I don't use the NHS 5
Don't want to wait to be seen 4
I am not from this city 3
Never ill / don't use medical facilities 2
Work in NHS / have medical facilities at work 2
Other 6
Don't know 3

Q4 When would you consider using this centre?Base: all likely to use medical centre (500)

  %
On my way to work 36
During the day but not at lunchtime 7
At lunchtime 12
On my way back home 32
All of these 20
None of these 2
Don't know 6

Q5 How would you prefer to use such a health centre? Would you prefer to...Base: all likely to use medical centre (500)

  %
Make an appointment 16
Walk in 75
No preference/either 8
Don't know 1

Q6 And how long would you be prepared to wait for an appointment?Base: all likely to use medical centre and prefer to make appointment or have no preference (119 )

  %
Same day appointment 65
Up to 24 hours 23
Between 1 - 2 days 9
More than 2 days 1
Don't know 3

Q7 How long would you be prepared to wait to be seen if you just walked in?Base: all likely to use medical centre and prefer to walk in or have no preference (415)

  %
0-15 minutes 22
16-30 minutes 46
31-45 minutes 23
46-60 minutes 6
Over one hour 1
Average acceptable wait 26 minutes
Don't know 2

Q8 Still thinking about using a free NHS health centre at or near this station on your way to or from work, would you expect to be seen by a nurse, a GP, or would it not matter?Base: all likely to use medical centre (500)

  %
A nurse 5
GP 22
It would not matter 59
It depends 13
Don't know 1

Q9 Which of these medical services, if any, would you be interested in using if they were available at or near this station?

  %
Help with cold / flu symptoms 32
Repeat prescriptions (inhalers, medication, contraception etc.) 26
Blood tests 19
Travel vaccine 19
Blood pressure 19
Flu vaccine 15
All of these 13
None of these 21
Don't know 6

Q10 Thank you, and finally how many times do you travel through this station to or from work in one week?

  %
Every day 57
A few times a week 19
Every week 7
A few times a month 6
Monthly 2
Less often than monthly 6
This is my first time 1
Don't know 1

Q11 And how long does it usually take you to get from home to work when you travel through this station?

  %
0-15 minutes 7
16-30 minutes 22
31-45 minutes 21
46-60 minutes 24
61 minutes to 1h 30 minutes 17
1h 31 minutes to 2 hours 6
Over 2 hours 3
Average journey time 50 minutes
Refused 0
Don't know 2

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