An MP has called for government action after a hospital trust was told it needed to improve by a health watchdog.

North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Northwick Park Hospital, was given the 'requires improvement' rating by the Care Quality Commission in a report published today.

Gareth Thomas, Labour MP for Harrow West, said: “This report is very worrying for the health services in Harrow.

“Northwick Park has fantastic staff and I trust the chief executive and those working at the hospital to move forward. The problem is they are not getting the support they need to deal with increasing pressure.

“In the short term there will be more pressure on the hospital's A&E unit with the closure of Central Middlesex emergency department.

“There needs to be a comprehensive plan from Government to help reduce the pressure on services in Harrow.”

Mr Thomas called for the Government to consider extending the opening hours at the Alexandra Avenue walk-in clinic.

Next month A&E services at Central Middlesex Hospital will close and patients needing emergency and trauma services will be sent to Northwick Park Hospital.

The new £21million A&E department at Northwick Park will be completed by October and is due to open by November.