Joint pathology hub proposed for north west London trusts

Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust, Hillingdon Hospitals Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare Trust and West Middlesex University Hospital Trust are discussing the option.

The four are already making plans for joint working through the North West London major reconfiguration programme, Shaping a Healthier Future, which may see three accident and emergency departments across the area downgraded and specialist care centralised.

There is no indication yet where the hub might be located or how much each trust hopes to save by forming a joint hub.

A spokeswoman for Hillingdon Hospitals Foundation Trust said: “It is too soon to go into any detail about how the service might work as discussions are still at an early stage.”