Petition for urgent treatment centre to open 24/7

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre to stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust started a pilot scheme in May 2024, moving from a 24-hour service to opening 07:30 to 22:00 GMT - a change which has now been made permanent.

The Trust said this allowed for hospital staff to be available at times when patients "need them most" and said it did not place extra pressure on local A&E departments.

Aidan Zeall, 72, who started the petition, said he was "very concerned" as Crawley was a "growing area", with plans for up to 10,000 houses in Ifield, and feared it could lead to increased A&E waiting times.

"Health services in the area are already under severe pressure," he said. "I believe the permanent overnight closure will contribute to additional pressure.

"Anyone who has a problem overnight will probably end up at East Surrey A&E."

Crawley Hospital's A&E department closed in August 2004. More than 30,000 people signed a petition at the time calling for a new hospital in the town with an emergency department.

The health trust said a full review of the pilot showed that the updated opening hours were delivering "real benefits for local people".

A spokesperson said: "Patients are now able to get the care they need more quickly, with stronger staffing levels throughout the busiest times of the day and evening.

"Importantly, there has been no significant impact on nearby emergency departments.

"The updated hours have not placed additional pressure on local A&Es, including East Surrey Hospital.

"There has been only a very small rise in overnight attendances, with patients who need the UTC able to attend in the morning."

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