The centre sees about 55,000 patients a year

Officials at the Loughborough clinic, an NHS pilot opened several years ago, say the centre is having an impact by offering patients better access to medical advice.

The University of Leicester study showed the centre had not significantly reduced the numbers of patients visiting GPs.

Report author Dr Ronald Hsu, from the department of epidemiology and public health, said the centre was sometimes used by people who want a second opinion.

Better access

"People may be going to the walk-in centre because they want a second opinion or taking minor ailments to the centre that they might not go to the GP about.

"We have no evidence that the drop-in centre has had a major impact on the workload of the A&E or GPs."

Frank Durning, manager of the NHS walk-in centre, said the centre was established as a national pilot to provide better access to patients to medical advice.

"Our demand-led service means the work is unpredictable, but we are open from 7am until 10pm.

"We see about 55,000 patients a year, with everything from fractures to soft-tissues injuries and coughs and flus.

Dr Hsu said: "The public has to decide if they want to fund a service that treats their symptoms or if they want an NHS with blue-flashing lights on ambulances that only treats serious diseases."

He said patients are perhaps spoiled by choice as they can choose between the hospital, NHS Direct, a drop-in centre or a GP.