A Wirral walk-in centre that was saved from closure after a furious public response will return to full opening hours in May, it has been announced.

The Eastham Clinic had been earmarked for permanent closure last year, but after a public outcry from politicians, residents and businesses, Wirral Clinical Commisioning Group (CCG) announced a reduced hours schedule for the centre.

That began in January, but on Thursday, Wirral council documents revealed from this May, it will move to full opening hours of eight hours a day, seven days a week.

The document, set to be discussed by the council’s adult care and health overview and scrutiny committee on March 20, also said recruitment for the centre had begun, training is “on track”, and “discussions and plans are underway to enable full reinstatement of service”.

Eastham Councillor Chris Carubia said it was “very good news” for the area.

He explained: “This result is the accumulation of a lot of residents showing that it’s absolutely, desperately needed this end of the Wirral. It’s constantly full all the time.”

The idea for closure last year was so staff from the surgery could help out at Arrowe Park Hospital in a bid to improve its A&E waiting times for patients.

The move prompted a furious response from the public, and Wirral South MP Alison McGovern described the situation in August as “brutal”.

An online petition was also launched to keep the Eastham Rake centre serving people in Bromborough, Bebington, Eastham and New Ferry open, and attracted thousands of signatures.

That led to the CCG announcing reduced opening hours – 1pm until 5pm Monday to Friday and 12pm until 4pm Saturday and Sunday, with Ms McGovern claiming it showed “if you make your case you can change things”.

But the walk-in will soon double those opening hours to eight hours a day, seven days a week.

Lib Dem Cllr Carubia added: “It’s the only facility we have in Wirral South. I understood the reason they closed it but it also seemed to be somewhat of a kneejerk reaction.”

He said it now takes an hour to get from Eastham to Arrowe Park Hospital on the bus, or an “expensive” 34-minute return journey by taxi.

“There was a lot of public support and people standing outside and showing their displeasure at the move to close it,” he added.

There will be a “further update” towards the end of April to confirm the reopening plans, the document added.

Eastham councillor Phil Gilchrist added: "Local people can see light at the end of the tunnel.  We now have a further, firm, commitment to full services here.

"The service is valued. The service is needed because Arrowe Park is miles away and bus links are poor. Roll on May!"