After raising the issue in Parliament and petitioning hundreds of local residents and NHS workers, Gareth Thomas MP has welcomed the opening of a new 32-bed unit, strategically built on top of the existing A&E department.

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 unit is already starting to make a difference.

“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.”

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.

The new unit offers a consultant-led service seven days a week, supported by occupational health, physiotherapy, and pharmacy teams.

Pippa Nightingale, Chief Executive of LNWH, said:

“We have one of the biggest and busiest A&Es in the country so this is a welcome and much needed addition to our capacity.

The new unit will help us better manage this and provide high quality care. We also have senior decision-makers on the unit seven days a week which is important.”