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WELCOME TO THE 'HANDS OFF OUR HOSPITAL' CAMPAIGN
Nick de Bois, Prospective MP for Enfield North, explains that Conservative-controlled Enfield Borough Council has agreed to seek a judical review of the Labour government's decision to cut vital services at Chase Farm Hospital.
Nick, along with other hospital campaigners, gave a presentation to Enfield Council's Cabinet last night, 26th November. After hearing the case for seeking a judicial review, Enfield Council agreed to fund the costs of such a move.
Nick said, "I'm delighted that the Council have agreed to fund seeking a judicial review".
Nick added, "I can't guarantee that a judicial review will stop the cuts to Chase Farm, but I believe we owe it to the people of Enfield to fight these cuts tooth and nail".
BBC: A&E closure faces legal challenge
News 4 September 2008
| Chase Farm decision is a massive blow to Enfield |
| 04 Sep 2008 |
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"At the stroke of a pen the Labour government have crippled local hospital services at Chase Farm''
The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson has endorsed the plans to close services at Chase Farm Hospital. His decision was published today, Thursday 4th September.
ACCIDENT and Emergency and maternity services are to be axed at Chase Farm Hospital in controversial reforms to health provision in Enfield. Investigatory body, The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP), has advised the Government to press ahead with radical changes to the way that residents get treatment.
The decision was announced today (Thursday) by Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health. He said ''I support recommendation of the IRB report that the proposals to centralise A&E services on two sites at Barnet Hospital and North Middlesex Hospital.''
It means that Enfield will be served by Accident and Emergency services at Barnet Hospital. There is the possibility of a downgraded, part-time urgent care unit at Chase Farm but nothing is confirmed at present.
It is clear that expectant mothers will be forced to go to the neighbouring borough of Barnet to deliver their child, since consultant led maternity services will not be maintained at Chase Farm. Our hospital might maintain stripped down, midwife led maternity provision. But again this has not been decided. The reforms go ahead despite Mr Johnson admitting that documents which Enfield Primary Care Trust produced for residents in the consultation process were unclear, and that the consultation process was flawed.
Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman and local hospital campaigner Nick de Bois responded to the announcement today, saying
“This is a disaster for Chase Farm and proves what we have said all along –that, despite protestations to the contrary, the plan has always been to run Chase Farm into the ground".
"Hospitals that lose their round-the-clock A&E capacity ultimately cease to be hospitals at all. Combined with the loss of consultant-led maternity services and in-patient services, this is a death sentence for Chase Farm
"Joan Ryan (MP for Enfield North) has been asking her constituents to celebrate the decision of the Health chiefs and her Labour colleagues to support Option 1 which has now been confirmed by her governments Secretary of Health, Alan Johnson. Now local residents will have to pick up the pieces of this disastrous decision. The decision is a slap in the face for the ten of thousands of us who have fought to save our hospital".
Nick added, "I would like to pay tribute to the work of the Health Scrutiny Committee- it's officers and cross-party members who have worked hard to underline the many reasons why the decision to downgrade Chase Farm Hospital is not in the best interests of the people of Enfield".
"Many other people have also worked hard to support the campaign and I am encouraged by their efforts, as well as those of all the campaign groups and members of the public who continue to protest against the continued attack on healthcare services in Enfield". |
Conservative leader David Cameron visited Enfield North to join campaigners in opposition to the proposed cuts to Chase Farm Hospital in October 2007 when it was believed there would be a General Election called within days.
During the visit he promised that if a Conservative government was elected on November 1st, it would stop the cuts to Chase Farm on November 2nd.
Gordon Brown denied us a general election. Now Labour are denying us access to local, 24 hour A&E services.
It's unforgivable.
It's time for change.
David Cameron was accompanied by Prospective MP for Enfield North Nick de Bois and Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley MP
To sign the petition click here
Click Here to read Nick de Bois's appeal letter to Gordon Brown
Welcome to our website. It's dedicated to saving Chase Farm Hospital, and stopping the Government's current programme of massive cuts. We are fighting to ensure that Chase Farm remains open, providing good quality services -now, and in the future.
Consistently, and in huge numbers, local people have made clear that we want our hospital to stay. Hands Off Our Hospital are committed to representing that view.
Under current Government plans, and in common with many hospitals across the country, there is a very real danger that vital services such as our A & E, our Maternity Unit and our Children's Services unit will be lost. That would be a disaster for Enfield.
There is now very little time left.
The so-called 'consultation' process being run by local health chiefs is drawing to a close. This may be our final chance to save our hospital.
Both of the Government's preferred options will destroy Chase Farm.
That's why we're urging people to conduct a 'write in' campaign -fill in the consultation form saying 'I want Option E: Hands Off Our Hospital'. Option E is the one original options that invests in Chase Farms rather than effectively closing it. But if we want our voice to be heard, we have to act now -the 'consultation' period ends soon.
Earlier this year, thousands of people signed our petition to save our hospital. If we unite again, and fight these life-threatening cuts, then we can stop this madness.
Let's say loud and clear -Hands Off Our Hospital!
Click here for our LATEST NEWS PAGE to see full details of our December 2nd 'Petition day' and to read previous campaign updates.
Printed & published by A Thacker of Enfield North Conservative Association, 276 Baker Street, Enfield EN1 3LD
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