Council Leader Backs Calls to Save Urgent Care Centre
Writes to health minister saying Roehampton facility should remain open
Queen Mary's Hospital. Picture: Wandsworth Council
September 24, 2025
Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg has called on the government and NHS Trust leaders to reconsider proposed changes to urgent care services at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Roehampton, warning that scaling back the Enhanced Primary Care Hub could deepen health inequalities and leave vulnerable residents without accessible treatment.
In a letter to Health Minister Karin Smyth, Hogg stressed the importance of keeping care close to the community, particularly in Roehampton, which faces some of the borough’s most acute social and health challenges. “Any changes to the local provision of healthcare should be made with this in mind,” he wrote, citing widespread concern over the impact on older people, families with young children, and those with complex needs.
The Enhanced Primary Care Hub was established in 2019 as part of a wider NHS initiative to reduce pressure on emergency departments and improve access to same-day treatment for minor injuries and urgent conditions. Located within Queen Mary’s Hospital, the Hub treats around 800 patients a month for issues such as burns, broken bones, cuts, and minor wounds—conditions that often fall between GP appointments and full A&E emergencies.
The service has been praised for its speed and accessibility, especially for residents in Roehampton and surrounding areas who would otherwise face lengthy journeys to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, the nearest major A&E facility. Travel times can exceed 90 minutes by public transport, raising concerns about delays in care and increased strain on emergency services.
Local MP Fleur Anderson has submitted a petition with over 9,000 signatures to the St George’s, Epsom and St Helier (GESH) NHS Trust, which oversees Queen Mary’s Hospital. The petition, gathered in just one week, reflects growing public anxiety over the potential closure or reduction of services at the Hub.
One parent commented, “I took my 4-year-old daughter here and it was quick, easy and the perfect service for what was not an emergency but required attention that was not possible through our GP. Please don’t close it—it is needed badly.”
Simon Hogg has also written directly to the GESH Trust requesting a meeting to discuss the future of the Hub and explore ways to safeguard services in collaboration with the local community.
The GESH Trust has not yet confirmed the final outcome of its review, but the situation reflects broader pressures across the NHS to consolidate services and manage resources amid rising demand. While some argue that centralising urgent care can improve efficiency, others warn that removing local access risks undermining preventative care and increasing long-term costs.
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