FEARS have been raised that some patients of a walk-in centre earmarked for major changes did not have their voices heard in a consultation.

Most services at the Islington Street site are set to be transferred to GWH.

The Clinical Commissioning Group held a survey on the move but Bob Wright, Labour member for Swindon Borough Council is worried that homeless people and new immigrants – the people it was set up for – were missed as it could only be taken online.

After walking into the centre on Monday last week Cllr Wright noticed there was no mention of the survey.

He said: “I was there with my mum who was collecting a prescription.

“There was no signage at all for the survey. I spoke to the receptionist she knew nothing about any paper copy details. She said I would have to go online to find any details.”

Cllr Wright added: “Those who have no money will have to find money to get to GWH and that’s their idea of service? It doesn’t serve the people in Swindon and that’s what I’m here to do.”

A staff member of the walk-in centre told the Adver that paper copies of the survey were made available from Friday last week, although this was the last day the survey could be taken.

A spokesperson for the Swindon CCG said: “We value the views and opinions of people from all walks of life, especially those whose voices often go unheard, which was why it was important for us to not only have our survey in an online format, but to visit the centre at various times of day across a two-week period to speak with those actually using the service.

“This proved to be an incredibly valuable exercise, and the 200-or-so responses that were collected will provide a unique patient sight that will be used to help inform future decision making.”

Previously Nicki Millin, the CCG accountable officer told the borough council’s health overview and scrutiny committee a number of services will definitely continue, including a children’s clinic, treatment for the homeless, urgent on-the-day treatment which would be booked after a call to a patient’s GP, blood services and wound care – where patients can get wounds stitched – but she said that would need to be a booked appointment service.