Petition Gains Momentum Against Proposed Emergency Care Reductions
More than five hundred and seventy local residents have formally signed a petition urging Brent Council to challenge controversial NHS proposals to significantly reduce the operating hours of the Urgent Treatment Centre at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, North West London.
Proposed Service Reduction Sparks Community Concern
The London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust has put forward plans to close the urgent care unit at 9pm instead of midnight, with the last patient registrations accepted by 8pm. The trust justifies this move by citing extremely low attendance numbers after 9pm, averaging just four patients per hour during those late evening hours.
According to trust representatives, patients visiting after 9pm would be better supported by their general practitioner or local pharmacy services. This proposed reduction comes alongside existing limitations, as radiology services including X-Ray and ultrasound are already unavailable after 8pm due to low patient numbers and workforce constraints.
Residents Voice Strong Opposition to Healthcare Erosion
Presenting the petition to Brent Council's Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, local campaigner Zengha Wellings Longmore delivered a powerful statement arguing that this is not a small change but a fundamental erosion of access to urgent healthcare.
She emphasised that people do not stop becoming ill or injured at 9pm, noting that children continue to have accidents, elderly residents still experience health emergencies, and workers return home after long shifts needing medical attention. Wellings Longmore described late-evening urgent care as not a luxury but a necessity, particularly in an area like Brent with its diverse and growing population.
Growing Population Contrasts with Reduced Services
The petition organiser highlighted a concerning contradiction in healthcare planning, pointing out that major residential developments are progressing across Brent in areas including Grand Union, Alperton, Wembley Central, and around Neasden stations. Thousands of additional residents are expected to move into the borough, yet instead of planning for increased healthcare demand, authorities are proposing reduced access to urgent care services.
Wellings Longmore warned that when services are cut at Central Middlesex Hospital, the pressure does not disappear but simply moves elsewhere. She expressed particular concern about the impact on Northwick Park Hospital's Accident and Emergency department and its Urgent Treatment Centre, which she described as already under enormous strain.
Council Response and Previous Engagement
Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee Chair, Councillor Ketan Sheth, responded to the petition presentation by confirming that councillors had examined the proposals during the previous two committee meetings and that the issue remains absolutely on our radar. He added that the matter would be brought back before the committee at an appropriate time for further consideration.
The London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust conducted two public engagement events in October of last year to gauge community opinion before implementing any changes. During this consultation period, LNWH Chief Executive Pippa Nightingale stated that the trust wanted to understand how a change in opening hours might affect patients, their families, or the people they care for.
Practical Implications for Patients
If the proposed changes proceed, the Urgent Treatment Centre would continue providing the full range of urgent care services for non-life threatening injuries and illnesses during its reduced hours. However, patients would be encouraged to consult pharmacists or their GPs outside the new operating times.
The trust has acknowledged that the current situation, where some patients visiting after 8pm must travel to another centre or return the following day due to unavailable radiology services, is both inconvenient and can cause delays to care. Campaigners argue that reducing hours at Central Middlesex will inevitably increase pressure on neighbouring healthcare facilities, potentially lengthening waiting times and reducing the likelihood of patients receiving prompt attention during medical emergencies.
The petition specifically calls on Brent Council to convene an urgent meeting of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee to properly examine, question, and debate these healthcare proposals before any implementation occurs.
