We have to understand that sometimes NHS services have to change – but that does not always mean that change is for the best.

Recently, my committee heard from the local NHS about why it wanted to close the Cricklewood walk-in service. We were informed that the national policy is to simplify the way people can access health services, and that the move to bookable GP appointments has created 65,000 extra GP appointments over the last few years in Brent.

We were also informed that there are good clinical reasons as the walk-in service does not provide continuity of care as the GPs cannot see the patients' records or refer them onwards if they need extra help, or referral to a specialist service.

This results in the patients being seen twice, which isn't effective.

The aim of the integrated model of care is to ensure patients are seen once in the right setting, with their medical notes being updated where they are seen, and thus to improve the healthcare with an ever increasing financial pressure.

But is that enough?

Many people use the walk-in service every year and we need to understand why they are using the service and make sure their needs are catered for.

My challenge to the local NHS is to show how this proposed closure can go ahead safely and that no patients will drop through the net.

I will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure that these two challenges can be met.