The decision to change a walk-in health centre to appointment-only has been successful, a clinical commissioning group (CCG) responsible for the change has said.

In a recent performance report, Harrow CCG noted the take-up rate for appointments at Alexandra Avenue Health Centre has been around 90 per cent since the switch in November.

It pointed to a “steady increase” – culminating in 96 per cent of bookings being filled in April. However, there was a dip in March when another practice in the borough struggling to get appointments asked to take in some of Alexandra’s patients.

The CCG said it received around 150 feedback submissions from patients and these were positive overall.

In one example mentioned in the report, a patient described the new system as “very convenient” as it allowed them to book an appointment for their 73-year-old mother at a suitable time.

“I have had difficulties in the past when trying to book a GP appointment at my mother’s practice within a short timeframe,” the feedback read.

“However, the Alexandra GP Access Centre can support my mother and the booking system is easy to do via the 111 service – for this I am grateful.”

But the CCG said there is still work to be done to maximise the number of appointments being taken up.

It explained it is working on new models of care to help reduce the number of patients failing to attend their appointments, which currently stands at around one in ten.

And there is an effort to improve uptake of weekend appointments, particularly on Sunday after midday where around 70 per cent of slots are booked.

The decision to move to appointment-only was criticised at the time by residents, while Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas said it was representative of the increasing pressures faced by the health service.

Several Harrow councillors also questioned the move and hit out at what they saw as a lack of consultation on the matter.

Cllr Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, said following the recent report: “We’re still disappointed at the decision to close Alexandra Avenue Clinic to walk-in patients.

“Patients are now required to book appointments through their GP and often end up going to A&E when they can’t get one. While we appreciate that the CCG has to manage its resources, it’s unacceptable that South Harrow residents must now to travel to Pinner in order access walk-in services.

“Ultimately, this is what happens when public services are not properly funded and the government should shoulder the blame.”

The CCG explained the decision was taken to ensure people have “greater access to primary care”.

It added more detailed results of the user survey will be available later this month.