New healthcare hub and homes: Hillingdon Council approve plans for former Cottage Hospital

Plans to transform the former Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital on Pinner Road into a modern healthcare hub were unanimously approved by Hillingdon Council in January.

Designed by NHS Property Services (NHSPS) in conjunction with NHS North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the plans will deliver state-of-the-art facilities for over 20,000 patients served by the healthcare providers who operate from the existing Northwood Health Centre.

The plans will breathe new life into the vacant building by creating a modern and attractive healthcare hub, whilst preserving the war memorial commemorating those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

As part of the redevelopment 70 new homes will be delivered on land which is not required for healthcare uses, with the funds from the sale of this land directly financing the new healthcare hub and improvements to linked services.

Initial works are expected to begin inside the locally listed Cottage Hospital in the coming months and it is anticipated that the new healthcare hub will open at the start of 2024. The existing GPs will not move from the existing health centre until the new health hub is operational and there will be no impact on patient services.

New landscaping will be planted across the site, including three garden spaces for the health hub, as well as communal gardens and roof terraces for the new homes. Around 100 new trees will be planted across the site to promote sustainability and biodiversity.

A spokesperson for NHS Property Services commented:
“We are delighted that the Council supported the plans and the approved scheme is a fantastic example of how we can bring forward improved healthcare facilities for local people whilst also securing long-term, sustainable support for the NHS. At a time when improvements to healthcare facilities are needed more than ever, we are looking forward to delivering the new healthcare hub for the residents in Northwood. We are grateful for the support of the community and will ensure they are kept updated as we progress.”

Jo Ohlson, Chief Executive of NHS North West London Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“This exciting development will improve access for patients and mean we are able to provide more services in one place – it’s great news for the practice and its patients.”

Claire Eves, Associate Director for Outer London Services at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, stated:
“I’m really pleased this has been approved; it will rejuvenate this historic building and secure the delivery of healthcare for future generations. It will be a fantastic development and will really improve the working experience for our staff and our patients.”

Mojisola Adegbulugbe, Programme Manager of InHealth Intelligence, commented:
“We very much welcome the unanimous decision of the Hillingdon Planning Committee to approve this important scheme for Northwood. The decision is great news for the patients and staff of InHealth Intelligence who run the North West London Diabetic Eye Screening, enabling us to deliver a high level of care to our patients in a new state of the art facility. We look forward to working with NHSPS andthe local CCG to deliver the new health centre”