The group representing healthcare patients in Enfield has assured the public it is “committed” to helping save North Middlesex Hospital’s A&E department.

A recent investigation by the Care Quality Commission rated the emergency department at North Middlesex University Hospital – the only one in the borough - as “inadequate”, and the department could face further sanctions and even closure if improvements are not made by the end of August.

Healthwatch Enfield, which promotes patient views on NHS services and attends all meetings with the board running North Mid, says it will do all it can to make sure services improve and are maintained

In a statement, they said: “If, over the next few days, you or your loved ones were to be required to use Accident and Emergency services in Enfield, they might not be reassured if they were North Middlesex-bound.

“With the media barrage exposing shortfalls and failures – you could ask: why is the hospital still accepting patients? The answer is simply because North Middlesex provides vital support to residents of Enfield. It is imperative that it continues to do so.

“At Healthwatch Enfield we have received numerous accounts of individual experiences. Many of Enfield’s residents have shared positive stories and expressed their gratitude for the quality of care whilst others have raised their concerns about news articles, patient safety and unacceptable instances of clinical practice.

“Overwhelmingly, people have expressed strong views that they want a local hospital, which provides not only a quality Accident and Emergency service, but also exceptional care throughout its other departments.”

Healthwatch Enfield said they “repeatedly raised” concerns on behalf of patients over the A&E performance with both Enfield CCG and the CQC.

They said while doing so they “became aware” of the shortage of A&E consultants and middle grade A&E doctors, deemed by the CQC a key factor in the failings of the department.

They now hope a drive get people to register with a GP to take the pressure off the casualty department, as well as loans of doctors from other hospitals, will help save North Mid A&E.

They said: “From emphasising the effects on local people of any degree of A&E closure, to monitoring efforts to improve performance, Healthwatch Enfield is committed to supporting the A&E department to remain open and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust to provide the highest quality of care.

“We are all fighting to save lives, both literally and figuratively. For North Middlesex, it has been an uphill struggle to improve performance and quality whilst also attempting to attract senior A&E staff, in short supply nationally, to a local hospital experiencing difficulties. But recent clinical and leadership appointments present new opportunities for North Middlesex as they start to turn things around.”