A&E petition to halt downgrade (From Enfield Independent)

A&E petition to halt downgrade

11:47am Thursday 13th October 2005 in News By Pete Sherlock

An Enfield campaigner has started a petition in a bid to keep Accident and Emergency services at Chase Farm Hospital.

Irene Wilson, of Willow Road, said the potential radical shake-up of services to the hospital in the Ridgeway would be detrimental to patient care.

She said: "I am just one of the many that are worried and disgusted to think Chase Farm could possibly consider moving its Accident and Emergency department to Barnet, so I have started a petition against the transfer.

"I am collecting signatures from the people who should be asked about what they want to happen to their hospital."

Hospital bosses said last month they were exploring options for the future of the hospital including potential plans to downgrade A&E at Chase Farm.

That move would see patients needing emergency care forced to travel to the alternative casualty department at neighbouring Barnet, or North Middlesex Hospital in Edmonton The potential radical shake-up of hospital services would also see minor operations, currently taking place at Barnet, instead carried out at Chase Farm.

The proposals being explored have infuriated residents and health workers who believe downgrading A&E at Chase Farm would lead to the eventual break-up of the hospital.

Former nurse Liz Henthorne, of Great Cambridge Road, said: "Enfield residents have a right to have an A&E hospital and not be carted off to Barnet. We need to have a proper debate about the consequences of shifting A&E services to one site."

Residents can sign Mrs Wilson's petition at Fillebrook News in Fillebrook Avenue; Rosemary Avenue Veterinary surgery in Rosemary Avenue; Enfield Cancer Research shop in Enfield Town; the book stall in Enfield Town market and Dorothy's Launderette in Fillebrook Avenue.