Negotiations into the future of Harrow’s remaining walk-in centre are ongoing as health bosses continue to review access to patient services.

A Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) report outlined its strategy for the Pinn Medical Centre, in Love Lane, Pinner.

It currently operates two walk-in centres – one for those registered at the surgery and another for the general population.

The CCG intends to move the general walk-in centre to appointment only, following on from similar transitions at Alexandra Avenue Health Centre and Belmont Health Centre.

It noted there is a current “contract dispute” that needs to be resolved before it can proceed but a provisional date has been set at “2019, early 2020”.

Plans for the other walk-in centre are “under review as per the NHS England’s mandate”.

According to the CCG, the decision to change to appointment-only is to “increase access to primary care” and, in the Pinn’s case, provide services for those living in Harrow.

This comes after statistics for 2018/19 showed that, of those using the general walk-in centre, just 39 per cent of those were registered with a GP in the borough.

Many came from Hillingdon, with others coming from Hertfordshire, Ealing and Brent.

If the change does take place, those not registered with a Harrow GP will be unable to use the surgery.

Patients would also need to book an appointment with the health centre or call NHS 111.

Javina Seghal, managing director of Harrow CCG, has pointed out that the decision is part of a wider NHS initiative.

Several politicians criticised the transition at Alexandra Avenue, which took place last year, and at Belmont, which took place on Friday (November 1).

Cllr Pamela Fitzpatrick said it was evidence of the Government’s failure to protect the country’s health services.

And Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, has been consistently vocal in his opposition to the ceasing of walk-in services in his borough.

He launched a petition against the proposals at Belmont with the aim of bringing the issue to the attention of Health Secretary Matt Hancock.