Deborah Wilson, 72, a Poringland music teacher, praised staff for their prompt care of her husband Keith - who ended up having an emergency operation to untwist his bowel.

Keith Wilson, from Poringland, who had an emergency bowel operation after Norwich walk-in centre staff identified a major problem with his health. (Image: Deborah Wilson)

The procedure happened at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital only a few hours after Mrs Wilson drove her partner to an out of hours GP appointment with agonising stomach pain, following advice from 111 call handlers.

The out of hours service is based at the Rouen Road building, where the walk-in centre is housed.

The out of hours GP service is not included within the scope of the walk-in centre consultation.

The NHS Norwich walk-in centre in Rouen Road which could close in March 2024. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mrs Wilson said: "It was very scary but reassuring that we could see the right person to assess that hospital was the correct place to go."

Mrs Wilson initially thought her husband, a retired engineering designer, who hadn't had health problems, had appendicitis after he experienced sudden pain on the evening of May 29, 2021.

But after he was sick at home she became more concerned.

Mr Wilson was admitted to accident and emergency an hour after seeing the walk-in centre doctor and was sent for surgery at about 5.30am on May 30.

The 75-year-old has recovered fully and the couple praised all the care received from NHS staff.