Mount Vernon Hospital urgent care service could soon vanish, with NHS Trust bosses calling it “financially unsustainable.” The news has triggered fierce political backlash and sparked community outrage.
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recommending the closure of Mount Vernon’s Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner Service (UCNPS).
The service currently handles minor injuries and walk-in emergencies. If the plans go ahead, operations will shift to Hillingdon Hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).
In documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Trust blames rising costs for staff, supplies, and infrastructure.
The internal report states: “Rising costs for staffing, infrastructure, and clinical supplies have outpaced available resources.
Continuing to operate services in their current form is financially unsustainable… by centralising our clinical expertise and resources, we will ensure the urgent care service we provide is more sustainable and equitable for the future.”
The decision hasn’t been finalised yet, but a vote from the hospital board is looming. The Trust says centralising services will free up funds—reportedly saving £1 million a year—and improve access for underserved communities.
Local MP David Simmonds has come out swinging. “This decision is a hammer blow to our community. Residents across Hillingdon, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire rely on Mount Vernon’s Urgent Care Centre, and its closure will put further strain on already stretched services elsewhere.
Let me be clear, while this has been presented as a decision by the NHS trust, it is ultimately the Labour Health Secretary, Wes Streeting who has the power to stop it. He must take responsibility and act.”
Simmonds’ criticism is being echoed by Hillingdon Conservatives, who’ve launched a petition against the closure—reportedly attracting over 12,000 signatures. Council Leader Ian Edwards has also weighed in, accusing local Labour councillors of staying silent.
“All Hillingdon Conservative councillors stand united against this closure… Labour councillors have remained silent, and their local MP, Danny Beales, has chosen to blame NHS staff. That is completely unacceptable.”
Labour MP Danny Beales rejected the blame, pointing fingers back at the Tory government. “The Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner Service at Mount Vernon is really valued by those living nearby.
Hillingdon Hospital Trust is responsible for deciding how best to spend its budget and which services to provide, where.
The Hillingdon Conservatives’ faux outrage on this matter is both laughable and offensive… their government oversaw the systematic gutting of our health service for 14 years.”
Labour councillor Sital Punja also highlighted deeper funding issues: “Following years of underfunding and a £30 million debt inherited from the Conservative government, Hillingdon Hospital Trust have had to review their service provision ensuring the much-needed improvement and equity of healthcare throughout Hillingdon.
I call on the trust to ensure local communities… have their voices heard through a consultation process.”
Mount Vernon’s minor injuries unit could shut its doors permanently if the board votes in favour. Staff would be relocated, and patients redirected to the larger UTC at Hillingdon Hospital.
Local campaigners are urging residents to speak up during the consultation period. This is a story about more than just finances—it’s about access, trust in public health, and the future of emergency care in North West London.
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust declined to comment when approached.
