Santa Claus took time out of his busy Christmas schedule to help spread some festive cheer amongst sick children at Smithdown Children’s NHS Walk-in Centre earlier this week.

Santa and his team of elves made a surprise appearance at the Children’s Walk-in Centre on Monday 21st December, delivering Christmas presents for all of the children being treated there over the Christmas period.

Nicola Gourley, clinical nurse manager for Smithdown Children’s NHS Walk-in Centre explains:

“Children and parents were very excited to meet Santa, who kindly took some time out of his busy schedule this week, in order to make a surprise visit to our walk-in centre to deliver gifts for all of our young patients and spread a little bit of Christmas cheer.

“Needless to say, his presence was a big hit with everyone at the children’s walk-in centre – both young and old alike!”

Run by Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust, Smithdown Children’s NHS Walk-in Centre is the only NHS walk-in centre in the UK, specifically designed for the care of babies and children (aged between 0 – 15 year olds).

The centre is staffed by a specialist paediatric nursing team and aims to help reduce unnecessary trips to A&E for local families, by providing triage and on-the-spot treatment for a wide range of minor injuries and illnesses such as infections, rashes, stomach upsets and vomiting, minor cuts, bumps or burns, sprains or minor breaks, coughs, colds and flu-like symptoms.

You don’t need to be registered to a GP surgery to use the Children’s Walk in Centre and no appointment is necessary – you can just walk in.

Nicola adds:

“We want to remind parents and families that, excluding Christmas Day itself, we’re open throughout the Christmas holiday period whilst most GP surgeries are closed.

We would encourage parents from across Liverpool to make us their first point of call for treating any accidents and non-emergency illnesses over Christmas – rather than making an unnecessary and more time-consuming trip to a busy hospital A&E department.”

Well over 90% of all babies and children who attend the Children’s Walk-in Centre are quickly assessed and treated on site, but the team will refer families for further treatment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital if needed.

The Children’s Walk-in Centre is based on Smithdown Road (by Asda Supermarket), and is open at the following times over the Christmas period:

Monday to Fridays 8am – 8pm
Saturdays, Sundays and all other Bank Holidays 10 – 4pm
Christmas Day closed
Boxing Day 10-6pm