Liam Byrne, Health Minister, Officially Opens the NHS Walk-In Centre Managed by Atos Origin at Manchester Piccadilly

Providing Patients with Convenient Access to Healthcare Services without the need for an appointment.

London, 24 January 2006 - Atos Origin, a leading IT services company and a provider of managed medical services and occupational health, announced that the NHS Walk-In Centre at Manchester Piccadilly station was officially opened today by Liam Byrne, Health Minister.

The Manchester Piccadilly NHS Walk-In Centre is the first to be managed by an independent company. Atos Origin is responsible for managing the centre including recruitment of healthcare professionals and the day-to-day running of the service.

Since opening to the public on 17th November 2005 more than two thousand patients have been seen, with the number of people visiting the centre continuing to increase each day.

“People should have the opportunity to see a GP or a nurse when they need to and at a time and place that suits them,” said Liam Byrne, Health Minister. ”NHS commuter walk-in centres like this one in Manchester will offer advice and treatment outside of GPs’ traditional opening times, right on the doorstep of many people’s workplace"

This NHS Walk in Centre is located within a few minutes walk of Manchester Piccadilly station at 1-3 Gateway House, Piccadilly South. It is open from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday, providing treatment for minor injuries and ailments as well as healthcare advice. The service is led by experienced nurses with a GP on-site throughout the day.

“We are pleased with how the centre has performed since opening in November 2005,” said Martin Lyne, NHS service delivery manager, Atos Origin. “We have been able to see all patients promptly and, by drawing on our extensive medical knowledge and experience, provide a service that complements GP practice and other NHS facilities in the area.“

Atos Origin has established a major presence as a provider of managed medical services and occupational health and today provides occupational health services to nearly half a million employees in the UK public sector. Customers include the Department for Work and Pensions, Royal Mail Group and the Department for Trade and Industry.

About Atos Origin
Atos Origin is an international information technology services company. Its business is turning client vision into results through the application of consulting, systems integration and managed operations. The company’s annual revenues are more than EUR 5 billion and it employs over 46,000 people in 40 countries. Atos Origin is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic Games and has a client base of international blue-chip companies across all sectors. Atos Origin is quoted on the Paris Eurolist Market and trades as Atos Origin, AtosEuronext, Atos Worldline and Atos Consulting.

Contact Information

Caroline Crouch

Atos Origin

Contact via E-mail