FRESH calls are being made to delay plans to turn Worcester's walk-in health centre into a GPs surgery.

Councillor Joy Squires, Worcester's Labour parliamentary candidate, is fighting against the proposal to shut the 'walk-in' aspect of the facility and have it as a registered surgery only.

The controversial move, first revealed by your Worcester News two months ago, is already being opposed by some patient groups.

Cllr Squires has created a motion which will be voted upon by city councillors on Tuesday.

It asks managing director Duncan Sharkey to write to health chiefs to call for a delay so fresh consultation can kick off.

The motion states: "Worcester City Council recognises that the re-organisation of urgent care provision proposed by the South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group is set against the backdrop of significant funding and human resource pressures, together with demographic change that will lead to increasing demand for urgent care.

"We support proposals for better integration of care and making better use of primary care and other services as a safe alternative to expensive and over-stretched accident and emergency services.

"However, we do not believe that the case has been made for the closure of the walk-in centre in Worcester."

The clinic, in Farrier Street, is used by around 15,000 non-registered patients who drop in each year.

Under the changes, it would become a GPs centre only for those registered with an on-site doctor.

The NHS says the move is aimed at saving money to put towards other health needs around the county.

Tuesday's full council meeting gets underway from 7pm at the Guildhall.