Local London Assembly Member, Navin Shah AM, has expressed concerns after it has been revealed that Alexandra Health and Social Care Centre will become a GP Access Centre on the 1 November 2018. The centre will be dedicated to treating patients registered with a Harrow GP practice only, with the new service requiring patients to book an appointment before arrival.
Mr Shah AM has written to the Managing Director of North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups, Javina Sehgal, to raise his apprehensions about the proposals and the lack of a public consultation process before the changes were decided upon.
North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups have now stated that they will be undertaking a widespread communication and engagement activity to support patients in understanding the changes in the coming months.
Figures provided by the North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups show that patients are largely satisfied with existing GP Access Centres across the region. Out of 1000 patients interviewed, 96% said they were happy with the appointment time they were offered and a further 91% rated the service as ‘good/excellent’. But, it is unclear from the figures provided by the North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups on whether patients were consulted at the time of the survey about the removal of the ‘walk-in centre’.
Local London Assembly Member, Navin Shah AM, said:
“I am very concerned about the proposed changes to the Alexandra Health and Social Care Centre, and unclear about exactly what the rationale is behind removing a ‘walk-in centre’ without proper consultation with local residents, stakeholder groups, Harrow Council and elected members.
“This centre provides a critical service in emergencies, especially in the wake of the closure of local A&E Departments. I am also worried that the loss of this walk-in centre will put extra pressure on Northwick Park A&E who are already struggling with limited resources. It makes no sense to announce closure of this widely used walk-in centre before consulting.
“This is why I have written to the Managing Director of the North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups to ask for some much-needed clarity and rationale for the closure”.
Notes to editors
- The letter from North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups which sets out the changes to the Alexandra Walk-in-Centre, is attached;
- Navin Shah AM’s letter to the Managing Director of the North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups can be also be found attached;
- Figures provided by the North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups show that patients are largely satisfied with GP Access Centres across the region. These figures are quoted in their letter;
- Navin Shah is the London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow.