In a separate story we report significant problems persisting more than 5 months after the opening of the new NHS Brent GP referral adult community cardiology clinics at Willesden and Wembley Centres for Health and Care.
It is important to mention the statutory right of ‘patient choice’ of hospital when patients’ GPs refer them to for investigation and treatment.
We are fortunate that in London we have a large number of NHS hospitals with a cardiology department to choose from. The main local providers include London North West Hospital Trust (including Northwick Park Hosptal); the Imperial College Healthcare Trust (including St Mary’s and Hammersmith Hospitals); Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; and in central London North of the Thames University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust.
In addition Brent residents should know that on referral from a GP there is a walk-in cardiology out-patient clinic at Central Middlesex Hospital.
Clearly patients need to discuss with their GP which cardiology departments are most suited to their clinical needs, and the current waiting time at each before first appointment which will differ from time to time.