FOUR wards in Chase Farm Hospital will close in the next few months, sources have told the Enfield Independent.

Bedford ward, Bramley ward, Durban ward and one other medical ward will be cut to make "efficiency savings", according to staff.

Averil Dongworth, chief executive of the hospital, did not deny the closures when questioned this morning.

In an interview with the Enfield Independent, she confirmed no wards would disappear by June 1, but admitted closures could follow via the NHS's annual cash releasing efficiency savings (CRES) plan.

Ms Dongworth said: "CRES looks at ways we can make savings in each department.

"We look at how to use beds, and whether we need to change their usage, or maybe change one ward to another designation.

"We need to make sure the beds are used really efficiently."

Ms Dongworth refused to guarantee there would be no cut in bed numbers, but stressed there would be "no reduction in service".

No plans had been put before the executive board yet, she said.

She added: "We will treat the same number of patients - more, in fact - in the most modern way."

Ms Dongworth made the comments moments after Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley announced outside the hospital, in The Ridgeway, that all cuts to services would be halted while a GP and public-led consultation was carried out.

Under Labour's proposals, Chase Farm was due to lose its 24-hour A&E department by 2014 and its consultant-led maternity and children's services by summer 2011.

An 80-year-old woman, from Bush Hill Park, who regularly uses the hospital, said staff were told about the closures on Monday and the management then "vanished" until yesterday.

"Staff were told these four wards were definitely closing," she said. "It was confirmed yesterday.

"We're very concerned about it here in Enfield. I'm elderly and do long journeys, and there are already a lot of people using the hospital. It can't afford to cut beds.

"We're also very concerned about what it may mean for the A&E department. It sends most of its patients to Bedford ward, so if the hospital loses that, it doesn't bode well.

"I think they are being very devious about this."