Patients at a Harrow walk-in centre will now need to make an appointment if they want to be seen by a GP.

The borough’s clinical commissioning group (CCG) explained that, from November 1, visitors to Alexandra Avenue Health Centre must make a booking before they arrive.

Services will only be available to those registered with a Harrow GP as the CCG looks to provide better access to doctors in the borough.

Javina Seghal, managing director of Harrow CCG, said the changes will allow more people to be seen and it will strive to ensure they are given an appropriate time.

She said: “We want the local NHS to be as adaptive as possible to patient needs, and pre-bookable appointments at the Alexandra Avenue Health Centre will ensure that people can access a GP at the right time that suits them.”

She added that the initial feedback has been positive and explained that representatives from the NHS in north-west London will talk with patients who use the centre about the changes before the transition.

Appointments will be available from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. Patients can make a booking by contacting their GP or calling the NHS on 111.

Those who use the centre but are registered with a GP in Hillingdon or Ealing will have to make bookings within those boroughs.