Key Points
- More than 500 residents, specifically 570 signatories, have signed a petition urging Brent Council to oppose NHS plans reducing hours at the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, North West London.
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) proposes closing the UTC at 9pm instead of midnight, with last patient registration by 8pm, citing low attendance of just four patients per hour after 9pm.
- The Trust argues patients attending after 9pm would be better supported by their GP or pharmacy.
- The petition calls on the council to “stand up for the residents” it represents and to “examine the proposals”, describing them as “bad for patients, bad for staff, and bad for the NHS as a whole”.
- Petition presenter Zengha Wellings Longmore told Brent Council’s Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee that local services have “already been cut back too far”.
- Zengha Wellings Longmore stated: “[It] is not a small change. That is a fundamental erosion of access to urgent healthcare. People do not stop becoming ill or injured at 9pm. Children still fall, older people still become unwell, workers still come home hurt or exhausted after long shifts. A late-evening urgent care service is not a luxury – it is a necessity, especially in an area like Brent.”
- Zengha Wellings Longmore highlighted upcoming major developments in Grand Union, Alperton, Wembley Central, and around Neasden stations, noting: “Thousands more residents will be moving into Brent. Yet instead of planning for increased demand, we are being told to accept reduced access to urgent care.”
Park Royal, North West London (North London News) – 22 January 2026 – More than 500 residents have signed a petition calling on Brent Council to challenge NHS plans to scale back operating hours at the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Central Middlesex Hospital, amid concerns over eroding access to late-evening care in a rapidly growing borough.
The petition, backed by 570 signatories, urges the council to “stand up for the residents” it represents against proposals from London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) to close the Park Royal UTC at 9pm rather than midnight. Last patient registrations would end at 8pm under the plan. LNWH justifies the change by pointing to low attendance, averaging just four patients per hour after 9pm, and suggests such cases could be handled better by GPs or pharmacies.
Why Are Residents Opposing the UTC Hour Cuts?
Zengha Wellings Longmore presented the petition to Brent Council’s Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, arguing that local services had “already been cut back too far”. As reported in coverage of the event, she emphasised the gravity of the proposal:
“[It] is not a small change. That is a fundamental erosion of access to urgent healthcare.”
Wellings Longmore stressed that urgent care needs do not align with clock times, stating:
“People do not stop becoming ill or injured at 9pm. Children still fall, older people still become unwell, workers still come home hurt or exhausted after long shifts.”
She described a late-evening urgent care service as
“not a luxury – it is a necessity, especially in an area like Brent”.
The petition itself labels the proposals “bad for patients, bad for staff, and bad for the NHS as a whole”, calling for the council to scrutinise the plans thoroughly. Residents fear the changes would disproportionately affect vulnerable groups in Brent, a diverse borough with high population density and shifting demographics.
What Changes Is LNWH Proposing Exactly?
LNWH’s proposal targets the UTC at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, shifting closure from midnight to 9pm daily. The Trust specifies that the last patients would be registered by 8pm to allow orderly wind-down. This follows analysis of attendance data showing minimal demand post-9pm – an average of four patients per hour. LNWH maintains that redirecting these cases to GP surgeries or pharmacies would improve overall support, optimising resources across the network.
The Trust’s stance reflects broader NHS efforts to align services with usage patterns, amid ongoing pressures from staffing shortages and budget constraints. No specific implementation date has been confirmed, pending consultation and council scrutiny.
How Does Population Growth Factor Into the Debate?
Zengha Wellings Longmore linked the proposals to Brent’s expansion, warning of incoming residents from major developments. She cited schemes in Grand Union, Alperton, Wembley Central, and around Neasden stations, noting: “Thousands more residents will be moving into Brent.” Rather than enhancing capacity, she argued, the plans reduce access at a time of rising demand:
“Yet instead of planning for increased demand, we are being told to accept reduced access to urgent care.”
Brent Council documents reference these developments as key to the borough’s growth trajectory, with housing projects set to add significant numbers over the coming years. Campaigners question whether LNWH’s data accounts for future population surges, urging a forward-looking assessment.
What Has Been the Council’s Response So Far?
The petition was formally presented to Brent Council’s Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, signalling resident pressure for intervention. Committee members received Wellings Longmore’s submission, which frames the issue as a test of the council’s commitment to constituents. No formal vote or decision has emerged yet, but the scrutiny process allows for detailed examination of LNWH’s rationale.
Local councillors have not issued public statements in available coverage, though the committee’s role involves reviewing health service changes impacting the borough. Residents anticipate a response that could influence NHS decision-making.
Who Is Zengha Wellings Longmore and What Is Her Role?
Zengha Wellings Longmore emerges as the petition’s lead advocate, delivering its core arguments to the scrutiny committee. Her presentation underscored personal and communal stakes, positioning her as a voice for affected residents. Coverage attributes direct quotes to her, highlighting her focus on equity in healthcare access.
While specific affiliations beyond the petition effort are not detailed, her involvement reflects grassroots mobilisation in Park Royal and wider Brent.
What Broader NHS Challenges Underpin This Proposal?
LNWH operates multiple sites, including Central Middlesex, and faces typical NHS strains: rising demand, finite funding, and workforce gaps. The UTC hour reduction aligns with national trends toward “right-sizing” services based on evidence like low late-night attendance. Proponents argue it frees staff for peak periods, enhancing efficiency.
Critics, including petitioners, counter that such tweaks risk fragmenting care, pushing patients toward overwhelmed primary services. Brent’s UTC serves as a frontline hub for non-emergency urgents, from injuries to sudden illnesses.
Are There Similar Cases in North West London?
The Park Royal UTC plan echoes debates elsewhere in London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust’s footprint. Past consultations have adjusted A&E and minor injury provisions, often citing utilisation data. No identical 9pm closures are reported imminently, but staffing models evolve borough-wide.
In Brent, prior service tweaks have sparked backlash, reinforcing petitioners’ view of cumulative erosion.
What Next Steps Do Petition Organisers Want?
Signatories demand Brent Council “examine the proposals” rigorously, potentially lobbying LNWH or escalating to health overseers. Wellings Longmore’s address seeks to galvanise scrutiny, framing resistance as vital for patient welfare. The petition’s 570 signatures lend weight, surpassing initial targets.
Organisers eye public meetings or further data requests to challenge low-attendance claims.
How Does This Fit Into Brent’s Health Landscape?
Central Middlesex Hospital anchors acute and urgent care in Park Royal, supporting a catchment of diverse communities. Amid housing booms, petitioners warn of mismatch between infrastructure and needs. LNWH emphasises system-wide benefits, but locals prioritise 24/7 accessibility.
