"What is a walk-in centre"

During the Christmas period due to flu symptoms I needed out of hours treatment. Living Market

Deeping my first thought was the WALK-IN CENTRE connected to Stamford hospital on arrival at 10.00am there were three people waiting to see a doctor in front of me in the queue was a man with a small child who was visiting relatives from Berkshire...on enquiry doctor availability he was told he had to ring 111 first to book an appointment the child was obviously distressed and quite rightly the father was not happy when the receptionist advised him the next appointment would be between 12 & 1.00pm...I ask why if this is a WALK-IN CENTRE why was appointments needed only to be told that’s the way it works...my second thought was to try Peterborough Walk in centre...what a different reception details were taken apologies that there was a three hour wait but I would be seen..the waiting room was packed at 3.00 pm people arriving were advised to come back in half an hour as the waiting list had reached capacity all done in an apologetic manner...Whst I am asking is...why are the staff and doctors run off their feet (and some of the staff were obviously poorly with the bug too) when Stamford was practically empty...I couldn’t fault the attention I was given..but I hardly think it is fair to the people working in the Peterborough centre...