Homeless people who need medical care will still be able to use the walk-in centre in Islington Street.

But they will be encouraged to use their own GP or to register for one, according to Swindon’s Clinical Commissioning Group.

In a tense exchange at Swindon Borough Council’s adults’ health, care and housing committee, Labour councillor for Central ward Bob Wright said he didn’t think that was good enough.

He said: “I was speaking to a homeless man who had part of his leg missing.

"He’d had sepsis and had been saved by going to the walk-in centre.

"He said if he had to go to GWH for treatment he can’t get there.

"If he hadn’t been able to go to the walk-in centre the outcome might not have been the same. There’s a group in the town who have specific needs for the walk-in centre.”

Gill May the director of nursing and quality at the CCG said a survey of people using the health centre showed the majority were registered with a GP practice, and they would be encouraged to access primary care there.

Coun Wright expressed concern that the hospital’s urgent care centre – due to open in December – would add to the winter pressures at GWH.

Ms May said: “The walk-in service is not being transferred to the urgent care centre.

"The doors are not closing and a number of services will continue to be provided, with some open at weekends. These include GP services, a sexual health clinic, a pharmacy, a service for homeless people, a needle exchange, blood taking and wound care.

The walk-in service is being re-modelled over the next few months and we will let people know ahead of any agreed changes taking place.”