Enfield North MP Nick de Bois has tabled questions to the Secretary of State for Health following a state of emergency being announced at Barnet Hospital.

It was revealed that Barnet Hospital’s accident and emergency department had been forced to turn away ambulances at its hospital due to the levels of walk in patients and ambulances.

A letter leaked to the Enfield Independent showed that on January 31, 19 ambulances were left unable to transfer their patients because the drastic bed shortage

As a result of Mr de Bois’ questions, it was revealed that between January 1, 2014 and February 9, 2014, two accident and emergency diverts reported by Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals Trust.

Jane Ellison, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health also told the MP that no maternity unit diverts at Barnet Hospital was made in the same time period, according to NHS Trust Development Authority.

Mr de Bois said: "We were promised that Barnet and North Middlesex would be able to cope but clearly, these early results show this is not the case.

"I expect there to be a plan of action to show how this can be avoided in the future. The hospital authority will have to explain what they will have to do if they cannot live up to the promises."