Alexandra Health and Social Care Centre in Harrow is extending its opening hours.
The centre will be open seven days a week, from 8am-8pm, for a trial period until the end of March.
It is a return to the opening hours it operated under between 2010-2012, after which hours were greatly reduced to 8am-4pm on weekends and public holidays.
Discussions are under way with Harrow Commissioning Care Group (CCG), which commissions the service on whether to extend the trial period, otherwise it will revert back to restricted opening hours.
The Ridgeway Surgery, in Imperial Drive, is overseeing and providing the Alexandra Avenue walk-in centre service.
Dr David Lloyd, Senior GP at the Ridgeway Surgery, said: “The ability to see an experienced GP for acute problems without an appointment 12 hours a day is good for patients who need a rapid solution to their problems, it’s good for the local health service as we can see patients who might have gone to A&E and it’s good for local general practitioners who, as we all know, are facing many current pressures.
“We believe Harrow CCG has found an excellent and effective way to help patients in Harrow with acute GP problems.”
Harrow CCG chair and local GP Dr Amol Kelshiker said: “Many health complaints can be dealt with through a GP appointment rather than a trip to A&E or an urgent care centre and this scheme is part of our plans to make it easier for residents to see a GP.
“Local residents can go to an easily accessible hub practice if they need a GP urgently and can’t get an appointment at their usual practice.
“Urgent care centres and emergency departments are under pressure at the moment and, as GPs responsible for most local health services, we know we all have a role to play in helping make sure people get the right care in the right place.”
Harrow CCG’s long-term plan is to develop additional community walk-in centre activity arcs in all areas of the borough.
