The NHS in Harrow has been given extra government money to help make it easier for patients to see their GP.

GPs in North West London, including Harrow, have been awarded £5million from Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund to provide extended opening hours and weekend opening of surgeries.

The Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group says the money will be invested during the course of the year.

Amol Kelshiker Chair of Harrow CCG said today: “I’m delighted that Harrow, along with the seven other boroughs in North West London, has been awarded this money by the Prime Minister.

“We will use the money to make it easier for patients to see their GP when they feel unwell.

“The money will enable GPs to work together to improve patient access to services, and improve the quality and experience of care for patients with complex needs.

“We can also use technology to make it easier to make appointments and provide consultations in a range of different media.

“There was very strong national interest resulting in many applications for the fund, so we are pleased that our application was successful.”

Last month it was announced Harrow CCG has joined with seven other groups across North West London to put money into a central budget to help deliver the Shaping a Healthier Future programme.