Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said it has no plans to shut down any more of its walk-in centres, after a popular surgery was moved to appointment-only.

Alexandra Avenue Health Centre, in South Harrow, no longer accepts walk-in patients as the CCG looks to move towards “greater access to primary care”.

Visitors now have to schedule an appointment through their GP and they are only available to those registered with a Harrow doctor.

There were rumours that other walk-in centres in the borough – at Pinn Medical Centre and Belmont Health Centre – would follow suit.

At a meeting last month, Javina Seghal, managing director of Harrow CCG, said she could not rule out whether things would change in the future.

But the CCG confirmed that, at this stage, the situation remains the same.

“Harrow CCG has no current plans to change the walk-in services provided at the Pinn Medical Centre or the Belmont Health Centre,” a spokesperson said.

“We are committed to providing high quality health services to our local residents and will continue to do so in any planning decisions we make.”

According to Ms Seghal, the decision at Alexandra Avenue was taken to ensure that everyone in Harrow has good access to primary care.

“It’s about ensuring timely access to a known GP and the continuity of care – particularly for those with long-term illness,” she said.

But Harrow councillors were disappointed that a “proper consultation” was not carried out.

Cllr Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, said he would have liked to have seen the CCG “speak with residents and take their feedback on board”.

And Cllr Chris Mote said the initial discussions about the changes were “kicked into the long grass” at a health and wellbeing council meeting.

Ms Seghal said the CCG would “properly engage” with the community if similar suggestions are brought up in the future.