In the last local elections Save Chase Farm succeeded in getting two candidates elected:
Cllr Kate Wilkinson in Chase Ward
Cllr Kieran McGregor in Town Ward
They need your help to get re-elected.
‘After four years on the council, we believe that there is an urgent need to reform the way government (including local government) operates. The traditional two party system does not operate in the best interests of democracy. There is a need for broader representation in decision making and we believe that independent councilors have an important role to play.’
Kieran McGregor, Town Ward Kate Wilkinson, Chase Ward
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Both of Enfield’s Save Chase Farm Councillors are standing for re-election:
Chase Ward: Kate Wilkinson
Kate has met many government Ministers, shadow Ministers, countless NHS bosses and generally made sure that the cries of ‘No!’ are a major issue on the national stage.
But more importantly she won a major battle, alongside the council, against a land sale at the hospital site.
Kate’s also tried to represent local people and their other issues with real passion. And that’s kept her very busy.
She’s actively served on the Council’s Health Scrutiny Panel, Conservation Advisory Group, Green Belt Forum and local community policing group (CAPE). Kate founded Save Chase Farm in 2005 and lives in the ward with her husband and two children. A full-time Enfield Councillor for the last four years, she’d like to thank everyone for their support.
Town Ward: Kieran McGregor
Kieran‘s specialism is finding ways to challenge the wrong-headed ideas of politicians and bureaucrats. Alongside Kate he has organized marches, public meetings, petitions and letter-writing campaigns. His research skills have also proved key in the fight – not least against the plan to build more private housing at Chase Farm.
But as well as campaigning for the hospital during the day, his evenings have been filled with Enfield Council’s Planning Committee, the Public Transport Consultative Group and the Crime and Safety Scrutiny panel.
Kieran is self-employed, married with two children, lives in Town Ward and is a governor of St. Georges’ School.
He knows a lot more work’s needed if we’re to save Chase Farm.
HERE’S THE PLAN !
If re-elected we’ll keep on fighting for your hospital!
This means:
Keeping relentless pressure on at the highest level ongovernment and the NHS making Chase Farm a national policy issue.
Ensuring politicians and bureaucrats keep the legally-binding promises already made to Enfield people
Working with other local groups to fight the closures
Campaigning to improve other local health services
We’ll also continue to fight for your other needs and views right across local government.
How can you help?
If you’d like to help save Chase Farm, please vote for Kate in Chase Ward or Kieran in Town Ward on Thursday May 6th.
Enfield Advertiser Feb 24th
Thousands to march against plans to cut more services across North London.
Thousands are expected to converge on Highbury corner, Islington at noon to join health campaigners, political leaders and hospital staff in a mass march up Holloway Road towards the Whittington Hospital. One carriageway will be closed off for the marchers who will gather for a rally with speeches by campaign leaders including Kate Wilkinson and Wendy Savage of the Keep our NHS public group. Marchers should meet at Highbury Corner at noon. Anyone wishing to help out as stewards should meet at Highbury Fields at 11.15am. Visit www.dwhc.org.uk to find out more about the event.
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The Save Chase Farm group recently held a Public Meeting to discuss the latest situation-
Many thanks to all who attended for your valuable contributions to the debate.
We would especially like to thank campaigners from Haringey and Islington for highlighting the services currently theatened under the new North Central London Sector Review.
Accident & Emergency, Childrens and Maternity services at Chase Farm Hospital are now scheduled to be downgraded. Many people could die as a result.
In addition to our active group of campaigners, SAVE CHASE FARM has two elected councillors scrutinising the current plans and lobbying all parties to highlight the clear need for all front line services to remain at Chase Farm Hospital.
Cllr. Kate Wilkinson Save Chase Farm Chase Ward
Cllr. Kieran McGregor Save Chase Farm Town Ward
CURRENT SITUATION
You already know that the threat to Chase Farm Hospital is serious.
Politicians and NHS managers are planning the closure of A&E and Maternity.
You have marched. You've signed petitions. You elected us. And you have so far, stopped the bureaucrats in their tracks.
So thanks to you-and thousands of Enfield residents-our 24-hour, consultant -led A&E is still open. And newborns are expertly cared for in our maternity department.
But here's the but:the threat remain. Managers and politicians still want to 'make efficiences'. By which they mean close our services -within three years.
We think they need to think again.
Which is why we're asking for re-election to Enfield Council on Thursday May 6th.
If Enfield keeps speaking with one voice, we'll stop the madness.
SAVE CHASE FARM MANIFESTO
When elected four years ago, our pledge was to focus on retaining front line services at the hospital. This remains our priority. NHS Managers and politicians are planning to remove the consultant-led maternity and 24-hour A and E services from Chase Farm over the next three years; despite the years of protests. With an increasing population and increased health needs across the borough we think they need to think again.
We have yet to see improved access to GP services particularly in some parts of the borough. Neither Barnet General nor the North Middlesex Hospitals have been expanded sufficiently to cope with the additional thousands of patients they would need to deal with.
The 0.1% of patients arriving at A and E at Chase Farm in need of specialist treatment are already treated elsewhere in major trauma centres.
Improved access by public transport is not an issue that Transport for London or the Hospital Trusts have been able to address.
We have yet to hear a convincing clinical argument in support of the removal of our front-line services. For these reasons and many others we will continue to push for improved access to both our GP facilities and the font-line services we already know are needed, where we can get to them, at Chase Farm Hospital.
We will work to reduce the inequality in health care in the Borough of Enfield. We recognise that the elderly, the very young and less mobile groups are often at a disadvantage in accessing health care services. We aim to promote healthier lifestyles and initatives which help to prevent chronic illness.
We have been struck by the need to improve the decision making processes in government including local government. We will lobby hard to ensure that voices can be heard beyond those of supporters of the traditional 'two party system'. We will continue to ensure that your views are heard on other issues.
Kate Wilkinson (Chase Ward)
Kieran McGregor (Town Ward)
North Central London Sector Review – January 2010
Seven Options Currently Under Review for the provision of hospital services across Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and Camden.
Do minimum’ – the BEH Clinical Strategy is implemented and the Whittington moves to the HfL local hospital model
Barnet Hospital is a major acute hospital and NMUH and Whittington become medical and surgical emergency hospitals
NMUH is a major acute and Barnet and NMUH become medical and surgical emergency hosptials
Barnet is a major acute, NMUH a medical and surgical emergency hospital and the Whittington a medical emergency hospital
NMUH is a major acute, Barnet a medical and surgical emergency hospital and the Whittington a medical emergency hospital
Barnet is a major acute, NMUH a medical and surgical emergency hospital and the Whittington an urgent and elective care hospital
NMUH is a major acute, Barnet a medical and surgical emergency hospital and the Whittington an urgent and elective care hospital
‘In all scenarios, RFH and UCLH are fixed points and CFH will be an urgent and elective hospital as per the BEH Clinical Strategy.’
DEC 2009 MASSIVE CUTS PLANNED ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL LONDON
A new strategic planning group called the 'North Central London Sector' has been made up of representatives from the 5 (PCTs) - Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington.
This group has been discussing this latest round of cuts since last March. In this whole area, because of the massive 'gap' in funding expected over the next few years (around £500m), only 2 or a maximum of 3 hospitals will remain as 'major acute hospitals'. The others will be downgraded to become 'Darzi Local Hospitals'. These hospitals will not necessarily keep 24 hour A and E services; consultant-led children's; maternity or women's services.
The hospitals at risk are : Barnet General, the North Middlesex, the Royal Free, University College London and the Whittington. It is also assumed in this plan that Chase Farm Hospital will be downgraded.
The new four options are:
Currently we are in the pre-consultation stage. Official consultation has not yet begun.
Campaign groups from this area have already voiced strong opposition to these plans. Opposition has also been voiced in parliament by various MPs.
In response to the immediate threat of closures at the Whittington Hospital, The Save Chase Farm Group issued the following statement:
"The Save Chase Farm Group supports the campaign to retain services at the Whittington. We applaud the efforts of your local MPs and campaigners who have seen the early danger signs. We recognise that the removal of front line services in any London Borough has a knock on effect on adjacent boroughs. We also recognise the tactic that the NHS have used in Enfield and other areas to try to 'divide and rule' public opinion by offering 'either or' options, on the premise that people will 'vote' for the deal which preserves their own services.
At this time of massive uncertainty regarding public sector finances and the future direction of government in this country, we call for an immediiate moratorium on closures and cuts. The NHS management must recognise that it is not acceptable to close services 'through the back door' or 'on the quick' in the run up to national and local elections. "
Kieran McGregor Save Chase Farm campaign
www.savethewhittington.org.uk/petition
CAMPAIGN GROUPS UNITE TO FIGHT THE PLANNED CUTS ACROSS NORTH LONDON
1. TRADE UNIONISTS URGE PEOPLE TO SIGN NHS PETITIONS
Haringey Trades Council has urged people to sign petitions against cuts in NHS services at the Whittington and North Middlesex hospitals. The petitions have been drawn up by local North London MPs Jeremy Corbyn. Lynne Featherstone and David Lammy.
The trade unionists say that a broad and united campaign focusing on NHS workers, the local communities and political activists will be needed if plans to close the accident and emergency unit at the Whittington are not to progress in particular.
Haringey TUC chair Keith Flett said 'of course it is no secret that many, although not all, unions are affiliated to the Labour Party. But in order to protect our NHS we need to move beyond party politics, which clearly have their place, and build a really united campaign to defend our NHS.'
Links to petitions www.savethewhittington.org.uk http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savenorthlondonhospitals/ http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/saveouraande
2. HOW PEOPLE POWER CAN CHANGE THINGS!
Great news from Camden Keep Our NHS Public campaigners...
· In July NHS Camden decided to award the contract for a new so called GP led health centre to a private company Care UK. · Two weeks ago they announced they would not be challenging our case against their lack of consultation in the High Court. · They then presented new plans for two 'easy access centres' with consultation due to start on 1st December. · This week they have withdrawn these proposals from the Council's Scrutiny Committee and do not propose bringing any new proposals until after the election in summer or autumn 2010.
People across Camden have signed petitions, come to meetings and joined demonstrations and protests. We have made our voices heard that these privatisation plans have gone too far.
Consultation -by NHS Enfield
On 2nd of Sept 2009 as part of the Enfield Primary Care Consultation, a meeting was held at Highlands School, 148 Worlds End Lane N21.
At the meeting there were campaigners, residents and politicians. Save Chase Farm, community groups such as Residents Associations and others questioned Dr Peter Barnes and Rob Lee about the new proposals for Neighbourhood Health Centres (previously polyclinics), Walk in Centres and Urgent Care Centres.
Some of the concerns voiced by the attendees were - lack of consistency of care offered by large impersonal centres - lack of a complete business plan raising many outstanding financial questions -premise that A&E will have reduced numbers attending -reliance on the public to self assess their medical needs and decide whether they need to go to a Urgent Care Centre, Walk in Centre, Neighbourhood Centre or an A&E dept. -assurances that departments at Chase Farm would not start closing before these new proposals were implemented and running smoothly - funding for these new proposals
The consultation ended on Sept 13th 2009.
Shaping the future of care together
The Dept of Health, 'Shaping the Future of Care Together' Consultation will be running from the 14th July to 13th November. It will highlight the issues with the current care system and offer several options for debate to build a new National Care Service for everyone . The options that will be discussed are : -Pay for yourself -Partnership -Insurance -Comprehensive -Tax funded
All information about the Green Paper consultation can be found at
www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
LEGAL UPDATE
On Wednesday 8th April Judge Geraldine Andrews gave a judgement that will prevent us from having a full and public judicial review hearing in relation to the removal of all front-line services from Chase Farm Hospital.
We are utterly shocked and appalled by the Judge's decision not to allow a public hearing of this case. The judgement itself contains many 'factual inaccuracies' and to deny the public the opportunity to present the truth is unforgivable in a case that has been argued for so long by so many. The PCTs have clearly had the opportunity to present their case. They may well state that to keep front-line services at Chase Farm is 'neither financially viable nor clinically safe' but no evidence is included to substantiate these well rehearsed but hollow arguments. The NHS have been asked many times for concrete answers to fundamental questions relating to capacity, finance and accessibility in particular. We know that the maternity departments at Barnet and Chase Farm combined have not been able to cope with the sharp rise in the birth rate. These departments closed on 91 occasions because they were full last year and yet no plans have been put forward by the PCTs to explain how the system could cope without the maternity department at Chase Farm. Similarly targets are not being met at A and E departments nor are they being met by ambulance response times across the borough. The new build at the North Middlesex Hospital was not designed to accommodate the extra patients if Chase Farm were to be downgraded. Successive health ministers have been repeatedly unable to provide answers to these questions and yet they still supported the decision to remove our front-line services. This judgement today is flawed on many levels and we are left horrified by the denial of our opportunity to demand answers to these questions in court.
We would welcome the opportunity once again to ask the Health Minister for a response. It is wholly irresponsible to allow these plans to proceed until responses can be provided to these fundamental questions. Residents of Enfield once again have been treated with utter contempt.
ENFIELD COUNCIL REJECTS IRP FINDINGS
At the meeting of Enfield council on 17th September 2008 Kate Wilkinson proposed a motion expressing SCF's disappointment with the IRP report and the Secretary of State's decision to rubber stamp the plans to downgrade services. The motion was passed by the council. The Save Chase Farm group is continuing to oppose these plans. Watch this space!
Motion Passed by Enfield Council:
The decision to remove all front line services from Chase Farm Hospital shows utter contempt for the democratic process. Public opinion has been consistently demonstrated over the past few years. There have been cross-party, large scale public demonstrations and collectively we have handed in petitions, letters and signed forms in excess of 79,000 during this time. All have stated the need to retain a fully functioning A and E,consultant-led women, children and maternity services at Chase Farm Hospital.
One million people will be adversely affected by this decision. The most vulnerable members of our society will be most affected namely:
Those in need of emergency care; women in labour; very sick children and anyone without their own transport.
This Council mandates the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Panel to write to the Secretary of State for Health to invite him to explain this decision to the residents of Enfield:
Given that public opinion has been so blatantly ignored it is unacceptable that an undeclared amount of public money, running into many millions of pounds has been wasted on a meaningless consultation. This money should have been spent on healthcare and should at the very least be declared before yet another meaningless 'public consultation' begins.
Patient choice; accessibility and clinical safety have all been severely compromised by this decision. This makes a mockery of the government's own policies and recommendations.
We 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 this decision is not in the best interests of those we all represent. Many other groups and members of the public have also worked hard to support the campaign. We are grateful for this support and are utterly appalled that so many voices have been ignored.
NEWS: 04.09.2008
IRP REPORT RELEASED
The report by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel has now been released.
Given the weight of evidence presented to the IRP our first reaction is shock.
The decision to support the PCT's proposals will jeopardise lives in Enfield and we consider this decision to be injurious to public health. This decision shows a blatant disregard for public opinion, which has been consistently demonstrated over the past few years. There have been cross-party, large scale public demonstrations, and collectively we have handed in petitions, letters, and signed forms in excess of 79,000 during this time.
Given that this was clearly a 'fait accompli' from the start it is unacceptable that an undeclared amount that runs into millions of pounds was wasted on a meaningless consultation. This public money should have been spent on healthcare !
We are currently considering every option. Nothing has been ruled in or out at this stage.
SCF 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 this decision is not in the best interests of those we represent.
Many other groups have also worked hard to support the campaign and we are encouraged by their efforts and also those of all the campaign groups and members of the public who continue to protest against this ongoing downgrading of our healthcare system.
Online Petition
Save Chase Farm created an on line petition to the Prime Minister to lobby to prevent land at the Chase Farm site being sold off. An amazing 2 020 people signed it in a short period of time. The petition is now closed, the exact wording was:
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to confer with Rt Hon Caroline Flint, Secretary of State for Communities and Housing, to prevent further land sales on the Chase Farm Hospital site ( please refer to PI ref:APP/Q5300/A/07/2043/798/NWF). This land is needed for the urgent development of Primary and Secondary care, for residents of Enfield, Barnet, Haringey and South Hertfordshire.
The Planning Permission was refused! See below.
Update on Planning Application
PLANNING APPEAL DISMISSED!!
We have received notification from the Planning Inspector and the Secretary of State that the appeal lodged by the Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital Trust to build an additional 279 housing units on the Chase Farm site has been DISMISSED. The Hospital Trust can appeal but only through the High Court and grounds for doing so are extremely limited by planning law.
The Planning Inspector has provided a very comprehensive report detailing the main issues covered during this lengthly appeal process. Please contact Kate Wilkinson or Kieran McGregor via Enfield Council if you would like a full copy.
The Hospital Trust were unable to prove that this appeal site was 'surplus to requirements' . We will continue to argue that this valuable piece of NHS land should be used to house much needed primary and secondary care health facilities for the residents of our borough.
The application was also premature; given that the future of the hospital as a whole is yet to be determined. The Joint Borough Health Scrutiny Panel covering the areas of Enfield, Barnet, Haringey and South Hertfordshire were not satisfied with the decision made by the 3 PCTs last December to implement 'Option One' (to downgrade Chase Farm Hospital - including the loss of a full A and E, Maternity, Women and Children's departments. They subsequently exercised their right to refer this decision back to the Secretary of State for Health; Alan Johnson. As a result, he has given the independent body called the 'IRP' the task of thoroughly investigating whether or not this would be in the best interest of our residents.
Update on Consultation
On January 21st, the Joint Health Scrutiny panels of four boroughs Enfield, Haringey, Barnet and Herts. expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision of the three PCTs by calling it in. The decision has been to the Secretary of Sate for health. The Secretary of State for Health has requested that the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) review the decision. The IRP are currently conducting a review of the consultation process. If you would like to participate in the review by providing evidence or speaking to the IRP in person, you should call them on 0207-389-8055 or email them: info@irpanel.org.uk All proposed changes to services at Chase Far are now on hold pending this process.
In the summer of 2006, 10 scenarios were provided by the NHS for consultation. These 10 scenarios were mysteriously reduced to five in late 2006. Those five scenarios included one which would have allowed all frontline services to be retained at Chase Farm. This was called 'scenario E'.
However when consultation commenced in July 2007, the options had been whittled down to 2 options, Scenario E had disappeared. The options were selected and articulated by the NHS behind closed doors, and left the public with what amounted to Hobson's choice. Neither of the two options provided for a fully functioning Accident and Emergency department at Chase Farm or Women's and Children's' services at the Chase Farm site.
The residents of Enfield (and Haringey) were asked to engage in a sham consultation because it did not allow them to express their views only to respond to 'closed questions' relating to the limited options pre-selected for them by NHS bureaucrats.
In spite of this, thousands of people wrote in and sent back their questionnaires rejecting both options. The consultation tells us two things:
Firstly, the consultation document was poorly designed and the process was poorly managed. Response rates were abysmally low (considering we are talking about the future health needs of a population of 900 000 or more). No academic institution would accept the low response rate as a valid 'sample' to draw conclusions from.
Secondly, the people of Enfield and surrounding boroughs will not be duped into 'selecting' options which amount to cutting our services and transferring patients with life threatening conditions to other boroughs.
Save Chase Farm will continue to fight to ensure that the views of the vast majority of users of Chase Farm hospital are not ignored.
