Belmont Health Centre in Stanmore is changing to an appointment only service next month.
Health chiefs put forward the idea back in August and despite, backlash from residents, the move will come into effect on November 1.
Patients will need to call their GP or 111 to pre book a same-day or next day appointment before arriving at Belmont Health Centre.
Dean Callaway, who has used the walk-in centre regularly, said: “The people worst off will be the people who work or are visiting Harrow but whose GP is elsewhere. Under these plans, if your friends GP isn’t in Harrow, you’ll have to take them to A&E, which is ridiculous when A&E is already so busy.
“It’s the lack of consultation too that gets me. If it is a cost saving measure, then better to be honest and come straight out with it instead of saying it will somehow make the service better.”
The move also follows a similar change to the Alexandra Avenue Health Centre in Pinner last year.
Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group (HCCG) believe the change will improve patient safety and allow the practice to treat the same number of patients.
Dr Genevieve Small, Chair of HCCG said: “We want everyone in our borough to receive better access to GP services at a time that suits them, including appointments at evenings and weekends.
“Having a GP Access Centre also means there is no need to wait for long periods of time in the waiting room to be seen.”
Javina Sehgal, managing director of HCCG added: “The change at Belmont Health Centre follows a similar transition at Alexandra Avenue Health Centre last year. Our recent survey, from May 2019, showed that eight out of 10 patients rated their experience at the Alexandra Avenue GP Access Centre as very good or excellent.”
Appointments at the centre – 516 Kenton Ln, Stanmore, Harrow HA3 7LT – will be available 8am-8pm seven days a week.
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