The Reading Urgent Care Centre in the Broad Street Mall used to serve people who were concerned about their health without the need for an appointment.
It provided consultations for minor ailments and urgent care for chest pain, breathing problems, skin complaints, other illnesses and emergency contraception.
The service in the mall closed and moved to the Royal Berkshire Hospital on July 1, a half-hour walk away.
The Reading Urgent Care Centre, which moved from the Broad Street Mall to the Royal Berkshire Hospital. (Image: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service)
There is a national conversation about converting closed shopping units into health centres.
Examples include a former carpet showroom in Wakefield being converted into a community diagnostic centre, and a new health hub being established inside a shopping centre in Barnsley.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked people in Reading whether they supported the idea of a health hub being created in the town centre.
Terry Hall, from West Reading, who was sitting at the defunct bus stop in Broad Street, said: “I think it would be a great idea!
“I think it would be swamped! I used the walk-in centre at the Butts [Broad Street Mall] quite a few times.
“If I wasn’t able to see my own GP, they referred me to the walk-in, but you can’t do that anymore in the Butts centre.”
He added that the hospital is not too easy to get to from his home to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Mr Hall said: “Luckily, I’m in pretty good health for my age, so I tend not to use them.
“But there is always that fear, because you know what people say about getting to see a GP, queuing and so forth, and waiting for a blood test and what have you, we all suffer from that.
“My main theory is that if something is wrong, it’s acute, you are supposed to call 111 and get advice from them.
“I don’t know, it just seemed to be a lot easier many years ago.
“Doctors and GPs had continuity; they knew you, your mother, and your grandparents. Everything has just changed.
“Some change is for the better, some isn’t. But the demand is absolutely phenomenal, I get that.
He added that his dentist is in the town centre, and that having a walk-in centre would be convenient.”
A man from Earley, who works at a fashion store, also supported the idea.
He said: “I think it would be good. There are probably a few places in Broad Street where one could go.
“I think it would be helpful, definitely.”
An elderly couple who live near the town centre agreed that a town centre health facility would be useful.
The people were asked for their views on Tuesday, November 25.
