HUNDREDS of residents will finally get the answer they have been waiting for in the battle to save their medical walk-in centre today.

Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group will be hosting a meeting this afternoon to reveal the final decision for the future of Bitterne Walk-In Centre.

The centre, which offers immediate help to people in Southampton, has been under the threat of closure for the past year.

The threat triggered more than 800 users of the centre to sign a petition and sparked furious debates with councillors and residents uniting to argue that the centre is a vital part of the community.

The final reveal comes after the CCG and Solent NHS Trust planned a six month shut-down of the centre to use the centre’s resources in GP practices and community care across Southampton.

This closure was put off for six months but the plans came back to life earlier this year and bosses have been considering the next best step since.

The health body said closing the centre would allow it to "spend its limited resources where they will have the greatest impact".

But the plans have proved controversial with campaigners and politicians who have argued it could leave residents on the eastern side of the city short-changed when it comes to out of hours health services.

Consultation on the closure plans finished at the beginning of September and now the CCG will reveal the fate of the service.

This afternoon bosses will be meeting at the central hall in Evans Street from 2pm for a three-hour discussion about the future of the centre.

Dr Sue Robinson is the clinical chair of the organisation and said members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

Anyone who can’t attend can submit their questions or ask for information by emailing emily.penfold@southamptoncityccg.nhs.uk.