MP calls for clinic to reopen (From Harrow Times)

Harrow West MP, Gareth Thomas, calls for Alexandra Avenue Polyclinic to be reopened

3:34pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Headlines By Emma Innes

Gareth Thomas MP believes that reopening the clinic would reduce pressure on Northwick Park's A&E

The MP for Harrow West has called for the reopening of Alexandra Avenue Polyclinic.

Gareth Thomas used a debate in the House of Commons to call on the new GP-led Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group to consider reopening the clinic to reduce the pressure on Northwick Park Hospital.

Speaking during a debate about accident and emergency services, Mr Thomas noted the growing number of patients at Northwick Park's A&E unit who have to wait more than four hours for treatment.

Mr Thomas called for the walk-in clinic to be reopened, claiming that the number of people attending Northwick Park’s A&E unit increased by 20 per cent last year.

The polyclinic used to be open from 8am until 8pm every day of the year and patients were usually seen by a doctor or nurse within 15 minutes.

Last year the service was changed so that it was only open from 9am until 3pm at weekends and Mr Thomas claims this has caused a rise in the number of people attending Northwick Park’s A&E.

Mr Thomas said: “I hope local doctors will recognise that one of the ways to reduce pressure on Northwick Park is to reopen what was a popular and well all-year-round service.

“With the Government determined to close A&E departments across London, many of which are in North London, the pressure on Northwick Park is only going to grow.

“Sensible measures to increase community services are urgently needed to reduce that pressure.”