Legal aspects of NHS direct and walk-in clinics

Two innovations in health care, NHS Direct and walk-in clinics, both designed to improve patient access, have been introduced by the Government. NHS Direct was one of the first NHS innovations introduced by the present Government and has been operating, on a restricted basis, for about 18 months. The Department of Health recently announced the setting up of more direct access clinics run by nurses, to which any person can go for assistance and advice on health care. This article considers the legal implications of these innovations.