THE closure of the A&E department at Chase Farm has been put back a year, health bosses have announced.

The hospital, in The Ridgeway, last year announced the department would shut its doors in October this year, with services moved to Barnet and North Middlesex hospitals.

However, North Central London NHS today said the A&E will be shut along with Chase Farm's maternity service in autumn 2013 - to allow time for upgrades to all three hospitals and improvements in primary care across Barnet, Haringey, and Enfield.

The closure is part of the plan, approved by health secretary Andrew Lansley, to shake-up hospital services with the aim of improvement and tackling inequality of health care.

However, the proposals, which have been around for several years, have faced fierce opposition from health campaigners, Enfield Council, and many Enfield GPs.

The council dropped its idea of a legal challenge to the plans, but said it wants to see significant improvements in health care in Enfield as well as more investment to justify the downgrade of Chase Farm.

GP commissioners are due to reveal a “primary care strategy” on January 26 - to include a detailed idea of how to bring care up to standard before the closure of the hospital departments.

NHS North Central London has put in bids to NHS London and the Government for money to expand the women's, children's, and maternity services as well as the A&E departments at Barnet and North Middlesex hospitals.

It is also applying for funds to build a new urgent care centre at Chase Farm Hospital.