The Medical Day Care Unit at Central Middlesex Hospital may soon be relocated to Ealing Hospital, according to discussions at a Brent Council Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
The proposed move is driven by the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) to facilitate the expansion of Sickle Cell services at Central Middlesex Hospital, support the urgent care pathway at Ealing Hospital, and improve the discharge pathway at Ealing Hospital.
According to the meeting agenda, the transfer would include all staff and patients currently using the Central Middlesex unit. The Medical Day Care Transfer and Sickle Cell Care briefing note states that LNWH is planning two public involvement events to discuss the proposed changes with the local community.
The Medical Day Care Unit sees an average of 250 patients per month, with 83 of those being haematology patients who would continue to be seen at Central Middlesex Hospital. The remaining 171 patients would be transferred to Ealing Hospital, increasing the patient volume at the Ealing Hospital Medical Day Care Unit by the same amount. Approximately 25% of appointments are for repeat procedures.
The briefing note details the reasons for the proposed change:
- Expansion of Sickle Cell services: Moving the Medical Day Care Unit will create space to expand sickle cell services at Central Middlesex Hospital. The hospital plans to deliver
high quality, holistic sickle cell care
includingannual checks, regular and preventative red cell exchange and apheresis (for pain relief) when required.
- Support for urgent care: Transferring the unit to Ealing Hospital would better enable the Trust to meet urgent care needs by transferring activity from the Same Day Emergency Care service to the Medical Day Care Unit for patients undergoing Medical Day Care Unit procedures.
- Support for discharge pathway: Patients requiring an infusion prior to discharge could be moved to the Medical Day Care Unit, freeing up acute beds.
The staffing model would also be affected. The plan is for the three nurses currently working at Central Middlesex Hospital to transfer to Ealing Hospital. The senior house officer would be retained at Central Middlesex Hospital, working exclusively for the haematology service. Consultant oversight would be provided for the Medical Day Unit by a consultant at Ealing Hospital. An additional four nurses would be recruited to operate the sickle cell day service at Central Middlesex Hospital, increasing the team from three to seven nurses.
LNWH has completed a quality and equality impact assessment for the proposed changes. The assessment found a positive impact for clinical effectiveness and staff experience, but a potential negative impact for patient experience, particularly for groups with disabilities. The quality and equality impact assessment identified A negative impact for patient experience and specifically for groups with disabilities.
This will be mitigated by communication and engagement, provision of transport for eligible patients in line with NHS guidance on patient transport, and the potential to explore options with community providers for alternative local care provision subject to feedback from Patient Advice and Liaison Service issues and complaints raised.
The proposal is largely financially neutral, with an overall increase in spend of £18,000 in 2025/26 due to equipment purchasing. From 2026/27, the Trust anticipates saving £21,000 per annum through a reduction in the use of bank staff.
LNWH plans to hold two public workshops at Central Middlesex Hospital on Monday 15 December, one from 12pm – 1pm and another from 6.30pm – 7.30pm, to discuss the proposals and gather feedback from local residents. Residents can also submit feedback online, and communications will be available on the hospital website and social media channels.
