A ROW has erupted over changes to the opening hours of a health centre in the heart of Edmonton.

NHS Enfield boss Nigel Beverley last night revealed plans for an overhaul at Evergreen Primary Care Centre, proposing to axe the weekday walk-in service for patients.

He argued the cutbacks would be replaced by Edmonton GPs opening longer and providing better access to appointments, claiming it is not a “significant change”.

But adamant councillors on the panel insisted on a full 12-week consultation, threatening to refer the matter to the secretary of state for health if their demands are not met.

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu, chair of the panel, said: “We feel our hands are tied and we may have to end up referring this further.

“There has got to be a proper consultation because we believe this is a substantial variation. I think the residents deserve to have a say.”

Mr Beverley agreed an urgent meeting was needed to discuss the matter further, but he did not agree with the idea of a full consultation.

He told the committee figures show many people using the walk-in service are already registered with a GP but are not going to them, preferring to use the accessible service at Evergreen.

Work is underway to open up surgeries, and improve access to appointments, and this includes the recent merger of several GP practices in the Evergreen centre.

The plan being put forward would cut back on duplication of service, Mr Beverley added, and told councillors if the changes were not made then £60,000 in savings would have to be found elsewhere.

But Councillor Denise Headley, (Cons, Bush Hill Park) said: “Squeezing off walk-in clinics doesn't mean people will walk in through another route.

“What I think will happen is they will go to another walk-in clinic or go to A&E.”

The councillors and Mr Beverley failed to agree last night, other than to propose a meeting to discuss the matter further.

However, councillors continue to press for full consultation with the public before any changes are made.