Proposed changes to Central Middlesex Urgent Treatment Centre opening times
Have Your Say: Proposal to change the opening hours at Central Middlesex Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre.
We're seeking views on a proposal to change the opening hours at the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Central Middlesex Hospital.
Currently, the UTC is open between 8am and 12midnight, seven days per week, with the last patient registered at 11pm.
However, the hospital does not have radiology services available after 8pm, so that many patients who visit after this time are forced to go somewhere else or return the following day. We know this is both inconvenient and, more seriously, can cause delays to care.
The UTC only sees an average of four patients per hour after 9pm, while many of those who do attend after this time would be better supported by primary care or pharmacy services.
That's why we're proposing new hours of 8am to 9pm, seven days a week, with the last patient registered at 8pm.
There would be no other changes to the provided by the UTC and our team would continue to see the current average of 132 patients per day.
The centre would also continue to provide its full range of urgent care services for injuries and illnesses that are not life threatening between 8am and 9pm. This includes sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings.
There would also be no change for anyone who comes to the site out of hours seriously unwell: they would be looked after by our 24/7 critical care team until they could be transferred to an appropriate emergency department, as happens already.
We're committed to involving our local communities in working through the proposal and will hold two resident engagement events to hear your views before we make any final decision, as well as receiving comments online. We'll share dates and details soon on our website and social media channels.
We encourage people to continue to use the UTC during its operating hours so that they can receive urgent NHS help and support closer to home.