The accident and emergency unit at a hospital used by people living in Wembley could be closed under plans which were discussed by health bosses today.

Proposals put forward by NHS North West London include plans to close the accident and emergency department at Central Middlesex and downgrade it to a local and elective hospital.

This means it would become a centre for planned operations.

Four other hospitals in the area, out of a total of nine, will lose their accident and emergency departments which include Charing Cross, Ealing and Hammersmith hospitals.

Under the preferred plans Chelsea & Westminster, Hillingdon, Northwick Park, St Mary’s, and West Middlesex will all continue to have their accident and emergency departments.

Today, the plans went before Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (PCT) for approval before going before NHS London and then onto public consultation which will run from July until October.