North-west London healthcare services receive overhaul

The government has made a number of changes to healthcare services in north-west London, following advice from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

Under the plans, nine hospitals in the area will be redesigned, allowing five – Hillingdon, Northwick Park, West Middlesex, Chelsea and Westminster and St Mary's – to provide advanced, comprehensive acute care to a high standard.

Urgent or emergency care will be available 24/7, with more critical care consultants on duty and increased investment in mental health, thus helping to meet the care challenges posed by an ageing population.

Meanwhile, Hammersmith and Central Middlesex hospitals will see their accident and emergency departments overhauled after winter 2013, while further work has been advised on the proposed changes at Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Today's changes will put patients at the centre of the NHS in north-west London, giving them better access to care 24/7 at home, at GP surgeries, in hospitals and the community."

This comes as part of the government's Shaping a Healthier Future programme, which is designed to improve service standards for the two million residents of north-west London.