Residents will know that the urgent care centre was sadly shut by the local hospital trust towards the end of September. I am deeply sympathetic to all residents who have contacted my office about this and signed my petition to halt the closure.
At every turn, I have sought to raise this issue with the trust and with ministers in Parliament. I am extremely disappointed that the trust proceeded in this manner despite the clear local concerns and objections. I want to assure you that this campaign is far from over.
I am already taking steps to ensure the 27,000 signatories on my petition have a voice in this matter. I will continue to push the Ministers at the Department for Health and Social Care and local decision-makers to hold them all accountable for their promises.
The key to this campaign is the excellent work of the local councillors and the local residents' association. Both groups have established a direct link between the affected residents and those responsible. Another issue being raised through local councillors is the decoration of street furniture with flags, specifically lamp posts.
There has been a national campaign to fly the Union Flag and the Flag of St George as a means of expressing patriotism while voicing concerns about the government's actions. These flags should never be allowed to be co-opted by those seeking to sow division, and I am glad that Hillingdon is not seeking to remove them.
Hillingdon routinely displays flags and banners to commemorate moments like the recent anniversary of the Battle of Britain. I was delighted to see these banners on local high streets and look forward to future such commemorations.
First published: My Local News, October 2025
