AN Enfield hospital under threat of being downgraded has been named the most improved in the UK in a poll of medical professionals and patients.

Chase Farm Hospital scooped the coveted Health Excellence and Leadership Award for the way it improved the quality of care during the last year.

The award was handed to chief executive Averil Dongworth on Monday, October 25, in front of more than 250 healthcare professionals, and said she was “delighted” to accept the gong.

Ms Dongworth said: “I would like to say a very big thank you, first of all, to our patients who have supported us on our journey.

“I'm very proud as chief executive of the trust to receive many letters from our patients acknowledging our services and their support for them, and also, on occasion, their complaints, which we endeavour to respond to, take seriously, and learn from.

“I would also like to thank our staff who work incredibly hard to offer the best and safest care for patients.”

The award comes during a consultation into the future of the north Enfield hospital as well as North Middlesex and Barnet Hospitals.

The second public meeting over the Case for Change – a blueprint for reconfiguring hospital services in Barnet, Haringey, and Enfield – is happening today at Forty Hall.

Under the proposals, which have been reintroduced with the backing of a panel of medical professionals, Chase Farm will lose its 24-hour A&E department, and maternity and paediatric services will be consolidated on the other two hospitals.