Edmonton MP Andy Love says he is concerned about the winter pressures on accident and emergency services at the only hospital in the borough.

North Middlesex University hospital in Sterling Way, Edmonton, is now the only casualty unit in Enfield after Chase Farm Hospital A&E was closed this week.

Statistics revealed that 3,224 people passed through North Mid’s A&E services – 175 people more than the previous week.

Mr Love said: “Staff at the North Mid should be praised highly for doing a hard job in very difficult circumstances.  We’re lucky that the hospital’s facilities have recently expanded, but the reorganisation of the NHS has still left it with considerable pressures and, now we’re heading into winter, our A&E is likely to be stretched further.

“We are yet to learn what knock-on effect the closure of Chase Farm’s A&E department will have on the North Mid in the long term but this week’s figures indicate that the numbers of patients passing through its emergency department have increased and there are problems with queuing ambulances.

“It was reassuring to chat with staff at the hospital and see that they are coping well at present.  But it’s inevitable that, as winter hits, and those who would have previously gone to Chase Farm transfer over to North Mid, pressures will increase.

“This government needs to accept responsibility and develop an urgent plan to relieve the pressure.”