THE walk-in service at a Harringay health centre is not likely to be reinstated after consultation with patients and doctors.

A 8am to 8pm appointment-free service was suspended at the The Laurels Healthy Living Centre in August last year when the GPs running the centre handed the contract back to NHS Haringey citing financial difficulties.

The health trust kept the surgery, in St Ann's Road, running but operating during regular office hours while it reassessed the extended opening times and walk-in service.

NHS Haringey staff, following a three-month consultation, have recommended the service is ditched permanently.

They do not believe it is an “appropriate use of its resources” as two urgent care centres are due to be opened in the borough and there are other avenues for out-of-hours and unplanned treatment.

The report is accompanied by a separate recommendation to shut down a specialist service helping people who have suffered brain injuries.

The health trust has been employing Headway East London to offer support and assistance to 13 residents to help them lead an independent life.

Despite protestations from patients and carers that axing the service could leave its recipients “isolated at home” and heap more pressure on family members, it is likely to shut because it is “not a core responsibility of the NHS”.

The proposals, part of a wide range of cost cutting measures, are due to be decided on by NHS Haringey board members this afternoon.