Residents are understandably extremely worried about the future of the Urgent Care Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital. I have endeavoured to keep all those concerned updated as best as I can with the information that I have been provided by the Hillingdon Hospitals Trust.
This decision ultimately sits with the North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB, but a recommendation will be put forward by the Trust). In my discussions with Lesley Watts (Chief Executive) and Alan McGlennan (Managing Director), I welcomed assurances that no decision had been made. I was also very clear about the importance of engagement and called for both staff and the local community to be an integral part of a consultation process so that all the implications of any changes are clearly considered.
I am deeply disappointed to learn that both matters have rushed ahead, after Lesley Watts and Alan McGlennan told a meeting organised by the Northwood Residents’ Association that they will be recommending pushing ahead with the closure of this much-valued urgent care facility.
It is therefore clear that, despite assurances, there has been no meaningful engagement with staff or the local community ahead of the decision for the recommendation because the meeting cannot and will not alter the decision that has very clearly already been made by the Trust. So, while residents were invited to share their concerns, the whole exercise feels somewhat unproductive if they are not taken forward to help shape any part of the recommendation decision.
There does appear to be an issue both with the clarity and consistency of communication from the department, as well as a fundamental issue with the proposals to move the unit to Hillingdon Hospital A&E. This is coming at a time when the NHS is urging patients to avoid using A&E where possible, but the move will deliver more patients, more traffic and more demand on an already over-stretched service. Feedback from the meeting also suggests that the Trust are aware of these issues, but there is simply no room for manoeuvre.
My office has contacted the Hillingdon Hospitals Trust to confirm whether the ICB intend to hold a consultation, or if there is any opportunity for feedback, and I am currently awaiting response. My letter to the Health Secretary also remains unanswered at the point of writing, but I will follow this up as a matter of urgency.
The fight is not over, and I urge residents to support the campaign to keep the pressure on the Trust to reconsider this damaging decision.
