10:37am Monday 15th December 2008
A judge has ruled that plans to cut services at Chase Farm Hospital should be probed at the High Court.
The decision came on Thursday, when Enfield Council was told it had an “arguable case” against plans to cut casualty and full maternity services at the medical centre.
A judicial review will now look into the matter.
Opponents of change have welcomed the news.
Enfield Primary Care Trust (PCT) called the review “totally unnecessary.”
The challenge hinges on the public consultation conducted by Enfield PCT in July 2007.
Opponents say it did not give residents the option of retaining a 24-hour accident and emergency department.
The result of the review is expected in about six months.
Enfield PCT could be forced to re-run the consultation if the decision goes in favour of the council.
Council leader Councillor Mike Rye said axing services at Chase Farm, in the Ridgeway, would “strike a serious blow to the health and well being of the people of Enfield”.
Cllr Rye said: “We believe the case to keep a 24 hour A&E and full maternity service at Chase Farm is overwhelming.
“In our view the PCT’s proposals will effectively dismantle Chase Farm as a fully functioning hospital which would endanger the lives of, and strike a serious blow to, the health and well being of the people of Enfield.
“We believe the decision to close A&E is wrong, and the community believes it is wrong, and it must be reversed. If we can only do this by judicial review, so be it.”
But Enfield PCT stands by its plans.
A spokeswoman said: “ We continue to believe that the legal challenge is a totally unnecessary distraction from introducing much needed improvements to health services for local people.
“We also understand that the decision may have been granted by the court after it only saw one side of the argument, from Enfield Council, so naturally we are keen to put across our side, especially as we have such a strong case.
“If the full review does go ahead, we will of course cooperate fully, as we believe that we have a robust case.”
Save Chase Farm councillor Kate Wilkinson accused health bosses of seeking to impose an inappropriate system on Enfield medical services.
She said: “ Our case is a clear example of how a 'one size fits all' approach to healthcare planning simply does not work.
“PCT chief executive, Stephen Conroy may well be disappointed with the legal challenge. We were equally disappointed with the proposals, and with the fact that a High Court battle with an independent Judge is now our only hope of saving these desperately needed services.”
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