Work has begun to save Enfield’s only emergency department from closure.

North Middlesex University Hospital’s A&E has come under enormous scrutiny after a leaked report indicated all junior doctors could be withdrawn due to unreasonable working conditions, which could spell the end of the already understaffed department.

On Tuesday, June 21, three north London MPs - Catherine West, Kate Osamor, and Joan Ryan - met with the chief executive of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, Julie Lowe, to discuss the crisis at the hospital. 

At the meeting, Ms Lowe said measures had already been taken, including junior doctors and trainees no longer being left without competent senior support in the A&E.

Medical equipment for immediate use in the resuscitation area of the A&E, which had previously been unavailable or damaged, had now been replaced, and North Mid is loaning staff from other hospitals, like Barnet General, to help fill gaps temporarily.

A new medical director, Cathy Cale, with responsibility for A&E, has been appointed.

Ms Ryan, MP for Enfield North, said despite this the hospital needs to work much faster to address all the problems it faces.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), which failed the hospital’s casualty in a report after a surprise visit, has given North Mid until August 26 to make significant improvements. 

Ms Ryan said: “I will not allow this A&E to close. I will be speaking to Julie Lowe on a weekly basis to review the implementation of their action plan.”