THE flagship walk-in health centre in Darlington has come under public scrutiny for the first time - and passed with flying colours.

Staff from the patient and public involvement forum (PPIF) made 11 unannounced visits to the centre in Doctor Piper House, the joint meeting of Darlington Primary Care Trust's board and professional executive committee heard.

They also collected almost 200 patient surveys detailing the quality of service in the nurse-led clinic.

PPIF chairman Dennis Hathwaite said: "The feedback from patients was overwhelmingly positive."

He said many commented on the "wonderful" service, which "couldn't be better".

The trust's director of primary care, Carole Harder, said: "With the walk-in centre, we are learning all the time and the things highlighted by the PPIF have been very useful."

The inspection team visited with just one hour's notice at all times of the week and at different times of the day and evening. The questionnaires contained eight questions about the reception, the waiting area and general suggestions for improvement.

Members of the public did highlight a lack of signs in town indicating where the walk-in centre was.

They also suggested having a larger play area for children with comics and books, magazines and newspapers, a notice board for community messages and details of duty pharmacists.

The report revealed that the majority of patients questioned waited for less than 30 minutes.

PPIF members have also suggested the walk-in centre continue to liaise with the forum in developing the facility, that the patient call system be improved and every effort is made to keep the centre tidy.

The report added: "Clearly, this new service is very popular and appreciated by the Darlington public. It will be interesting to see what impact it has on the hospital's accident and emergency department and on GP practices."

The PPIF will monitor the centre at least twice a month until next June.