North-west London GP hubs plan postponed after concerns raised

Under the plans non-complex cases would have been triaged face-to-face or virtually, and referred to GPs if needed

Plans to create GP hubs in north-west London have been postponed after a backlash from campaigners who raised concerns about patient safety.

North West London Integrated Care System (ICS) was due to launch its same-day access hubs in April.

The proposals would have seen non-complex cases triaged face-to-face or virtually, and referred to services like GPs if considered necessary.

The plans had been "misinterpreted", NHS North West London said.

Campaigners had several concerns including that patients might have had to travel further afield if there were no local GP appointments available, as well as the decision-making about who was seen by doctors, and the effectiveness of the hubs.

A letter from NHS North West London sent to GP practices in the area said the hubs would no longer "form part of the single offer for enhanced services for 2024-25".

However, it said in a statement: "Having listened to feedback from our patient groups, GPs and primary care networks (PCNs), we recognise that our proposals to increase access have been misinterpreted.

"It is for this reason that we have decided to allow more time to work with PCNs, GPs and patients to clarify our plans," it continued, adding it remained "committed to improving access to primary care" as it was "the number one issue" raised by residents and practices.

Campaign group Hammersmith & Fulham Save Our NHS (Hafson) previously raised concerns about the impact of the hubs on GP workload, patient safety and continuity of care.

Campaigners Hafson says there has been "no clarification on core issues" and concerns

Hafson member Jim Grealy, 77, claimed "no evidence" had been published regarding the effectiveness of the hubs despite 10 practices being involved in a pilot scheme.

Fellow member Merril Hammer, 78, raised concerns about "care coordinators actually making the decision of who the patient should be referred to, "adding it would be "impossible" for a single GP to supervise it.

In a statement, Hafson says the group "welcomes" the news that the hubs will not be rolled out next month, but said patients were only aware of them to begin with due to media reports and work by campaigners, adding there had been "no clarification on core issues".

"Patients and GPs need to know whether the hub proposal, where initial triage was to be carried through not by a GP but by a less qualified member of staff, has been withdrawn," Hafson said.

"This is a fundamental question of patient safety. As GPs have told us, triage is a highly skilled activity."

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