After raising the issue in Parliament and petitioning hundreds of local residents and NHS workers, Gareth Thomas MP has welcomed the announcement that Northwick Park Hospital will get a new ward providing 23 new beds as a result of a Government investment of £22.6 million.

Gareth Thomas, Harrow West MP said:

“I am delighted to hear that our campaign for more investment at Northwick Park Hospital has had a success! This new 32 bed ward will make a difference, but more investment is still essential if we’re to get our local healthcare services back to where they should be.

“Thank you to every resident and NHS worker that has signed our petition and supported our campaign. More importantly, thank you to the incredible staff at Northwick Park past and present, who have been placed under such immense pressure pre, post and especially during the pandemic.”

This is part of a £250 million investment that will deliver 900 new hospital beds across England to help treat patients more quickly this winter. This funding has been awarded to NHS trusts to relieve pressures and help cut waiting times – one of the Government’s top five priorities.

The A&E department in Harrow is one of London’s busiest and last winter was regularly experiencing a near total take-up of available beds.

According to Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas, the intensive therapy unit (ITU) had regularly averaged as high as 99 per cent of its bed occupancy.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive said:

“Winter is always a busy time for the NHS and so it is right that we put robust plans in place as early as possible to boost capacity and help frontline staff to prepare for additional pressure.

“Our winter plans, which build on the progress already made on our urgent and emergency care recovery plan, aim to reduce waiting times for patients and to transform services with an expansion of same day care and virtual wards, helping patients to be cared for in their own home where possible.”