Tower Hamlets residents can expect improved access to GPs with the expansion of the Same Day Access Hubs, an initiative aimed at reducing primary care presentations at A&E and enhancing continuity of care. The announcement was made during a Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, where health partners presented their priorities for the upcoming year.
The pilot programme, which saw the establishment of three GP Same Day Access Hubs in multiple locations across the borough, provided an additional 44,902 GP appointments this past year. The locations were strategically chosen to ensure borough-wide coverage and to support practices experiencing high primary care demand at A&E and UTC. Data from 111, A&E, and UTC was used to assess patient experience and inform the selection of these locations.
Roberto Tamsanguan, GP Partner and Clinical Director, Tower Hamlets Together, highlighted the goals for the coming year, stating that the focus would be on further developing the pilot GP Same Day Access Hubs to support a reduction in primary care presentations at A&E and increased continuity of care in General Practice.
The CS Health Partner Priorities 2025-26 document provides further details on these priorities.
The expansion aims to ensure that residents can access GP appointments regardless of their location within Tower Hamlets. Data from 111, A&E, and UTC will continue to be used to identify areas where patient experience can be improved. This initiative also seeks to provide greater continuity of care for patients who require it, while addressing on-the-day demand. The Same Day Access Hubs are designed to work alongside existing GP practices, offering additional appointment capacity and helping to manage urgent care needs. Practices can book appointments into the hub if they are struggling to meet demand on a given day.
Importantly, the digital infrastructure in Tower Hamlets enables the hubs to access patient medical records from their registered GP, and to share information securely with community health service partners and hospitals, ensuring coordinated care.
Joe Sheldon, Head of Primary Care for Tower Hamlets, noted the importance of addressing the estates issue, stating that practices are currently full. He explained that the Same Day Access Hubs are a way of meeting the demand for urgent care and ensuring that residents can receive the help they need closer to home.
