NEW primary care walk-in centres being planned for Kilmarnock and Irvine will look to improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
A separate pharmacy walk-in service is also proposed for Ayr, with health officials currently examining suitable premises and how the new facilities would operate.
The Ayr pharmacy service is expected to open by March 31, 2027.
However, no confirmed opening dates were provided for the proposed Kilmarnock and Irvine centres.
The developments were outlined at a meeting of East Ayrshire’s Integration Joint Board, where members received an update on primary care services across the region.
The board heard that the NHS had received a positive outcome from a funding bid submitted in August, allowing work on the proposals to progress.
A steering group has since been established to oversee the developments, with work underway on clinical governance, property requirements and financial arrangements.
Responding to a question about the progress of walk-in centres across the three Ayrshire council areas, acting director Dr Erik Sutherland confirmed that options were being assessed for facilities in Kilmarnock and Irvine, alongside the proposed pharmacy service in Ayr.
The locations have been selected following an assessment of population needs and patterns of hospital admissions.
Health officials believe the services could help patients obtain appropriate treatment within their communities, rather than relying unnecessarily on hospital services.
Dr Sutherland explained: “We’ve picked the areas informed by population dynamics and need in particular, where there are elevated levels of admissions into hospital.”
He added that the selection process had also considered deprivation levels, with officials examining Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation patterns.
Work is continuing to identify suitable buildings for the new facilities.
The board heard that the proposals remain at an early stage, with several aspects of the services still to be finalised. These include the clinical services that would be provided, staffing arrangements and the way patients would access treatment.
Officials are also working with national groups and other NHS boards to develop a consistent approach to pharmacy walk-in services.
Dr Sutherland said particular attention was being given to ensuring that patients understood what the new facilities would offer. He stressed the importance of making sure public expectations were realistic about the treatment available at walk-in centres.
The proposals come as GP practices across Ayrshire and Arran face mounting pressures involving recruitment, funding and accommodation.
A separate report to the board revealed that GP vacancies had increased from three in 2025 to nine in 2026.
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