15 June 2016
An article in the Guardian has revealed that there is a serious risk that the Accident & Emergency Department at the North Middlesex Hospital may be forced to close in the near future because an acute shortage of doctors means that it is unable to provide a sufficient level of patient safety.
North Mid has one of the busiest A&E departments in the country, treating up to 500 cases per day.
Though it has been clear for some time that there were serious problems with the North Mid's.......
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and forum comments
11 June 2016
Do you have questions about GPs in your local area? Want to give us some feedback on your local practice?
Healthwatch Enfield will be holding a twitter Question and Answer session next Friday on GPs in Enfield. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions you have about GPs in your local area and to listen to your feedback.
To take part simply tweet using the hashtag #myGP on Friday 17th June between 11.30am and 2pm.
Our twitter feed is.......
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24 May 2016
Despite increases in the borough's population, the organisation that pays for NHS services in Enfield is being asked to cut its expenditure by nearly five per cent this year.
The scale of savings being required was revealed at the 11th May meeting of the governing body of Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). At the meeting it was confirmed that the CCG has been ordered to institute a Recovery Plan in order to clear its deficit, totalling £33.4 million. This figure equates to nearly.......
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13 April 2016
On April 15th 2016, I will be locked into the patient garden at Chase Farm Hospital to raise funds to redevelop the space into a therapeutic, sensory garden for dementia patients - a cause very close to my heart.
I will be locked in until I reach my target of £5,000!! Help me!
Chase Farm Charity are trying to raise £120,000 to redevelop this garden and another stroke and neuro rehabilitation garden for patients within the hospital. They have raised just.......
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12 April 2016
The following summary is taken verbatim from the Healthwatch Enfield website
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust rated "requires improvement", following inspection
30/03/2016
England's Chief Inspector of Hospitals has rated Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust as Requires Improvement following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
CQC inspectors found that although the trust leadership team had identified many of the problems facing the.......
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27 March 2016
Redevelopment plans at Chase Farm Hospital receive final approval
The following report was posted on the Healthwatch Enfield website on 24 March 2016.
The redevelopment of Chase Farm Hospital has received the final go-ahead. The finalised plans were approved by Enfield Council in January, and have now been approved by the government, which is the final stage of the approval process.
Government approval of the full business case means public funds can now be released; in total the government.......
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25 February 2016
Enfield CCG is reviewing local urgent care services to make sure they are meeting the needs of our local population. We want to hear your views on how you access and use urgent care services.
Urgent care services are the services that are there to look after you when you have an injury or an unplanned illness and you need immediate advice and support. Enfield CCG commissions a range of urgent care services so that patients in Enfield can access care for non-life threatening illnesses and.......
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05 February 2016
Enfield Council's planning committee has approved the latest planning application for the redevelopment of Chase Farm Hospital. The application covers the appearance, size and layout of the new hospital, and was approved unanimously.
Preparatory work for the redevelopment work has now begun, with demolition of unused buildings and alterations to some of the internal roads taking place.
Construction of the new hospital itself is due to begin in spring.
The next public engagement event is.......
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05 January 2016
If you've ever suffered depression and it only started when you were 55 or older, the Royal Free Hospital would like to hear from you.
The Royal Free is carrying out a study designed to improve the understanding of the causes of late-onset depression. Volunteers are needed to help researchers investigate neural pathways in the brains of older people with depression, with the aim of developing more effective treatments.
If you would like to take part you will be asked to attend the.......
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21 December 2015
Healthwatch Enfield's press release issued in connection with the publication of their report on GP waiting rooms (see this earlier report) sounds a noticeably more critical note than the summary that was issued with the report. In particular, it is evident that in three important areas - patient privacy, information about how to register, and provision for deaf patients - half or more of GP practices were found wanting.
The full text of the press release follows:
Press release -.......
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19 December 2015
Healthwatch Enfield has issued its initial report on the experiences of patients in GP surgery waiting rooms. The report looked at the following aspects:
Visible information regarding the following:
Patient Participation Group (PPG)
How to access out of hours care
How to complain
How to register
Publicity for online services
Availability of the GP Friends and Family Test (FFT)
Booking interpreters
The practice’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating
The Improving Access to.......
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11 December 2015
Starting on 20th February it will no longer be possible to have a blood test at Chase Farm Hospital without booking in advance.
Currently patients can either pre-book or just turn up and ask at reception. However, after 19th February the second (drop-in) option will no longer be available.
Adult blood test clinics run at the following times:
Monday-Wednesday: 8am-7.30pm
Thursday: 8am-6.30pm
Friday: 8am-4pm
To book a blood test either phone 020 8375 1471 or book online........
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10 December 2015
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is asking for feedback from users of hospital services at the Royal Free Hospital, Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital.
The request for user input comes ahead of an inspection of the Royal Free London NHS Trust Foundation, due to start in February 2016. The three hospitals are all part of the Royal Free Trust (however, our other major local hospital, the North Middlesex, is not included in the Trust).
The CQC describes itself as "the.......
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10 December 2015
If you are registered with a GP in Enfield you can now access new evening and Saturday appointments from one of two hubs in the borough. The hubs in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill will be offering the extra appointments until 31 March 2016. Using the service will not affect registration at your own practice.
How to book
The easiest way to book is through NHS 111, which is free to call and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Simply dial 111 on your landline or mobile to speak to them. You.......
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05 December 2015
Local health and social care watchdog, Healthwatch Enfield, has today released a report on young people’s experiences of mental health support in the borough. The report’s findings paint a mixed picture of the availability of help for local young people with mental health needs.Young people told Healthwatch that often the key adults in their lives, such as parents, carers, teachers or youth workers, have little understanding of mental health issues. They reported significant negative.......
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and forum comments
04 December 2015
A new website, Get Your Rights, is highlighting that children and young people have a right to high quality healthcare by the NHS. The website, produced by the Council for Disabled Children at the National Children’s Bureau and funded by the Department of Health, provides everything children and young people need to get the most out of the health service.
It includes:
an interactive guide to children’s rights under the NHS Constitution;
videos from children, young people and.......
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04 December 2015
NHS England, in partnership with Age UK, Public Health England, and the Chief Fire Officer’s Association and Older People themselves, has published a Practical Guide to Healthy Ageing.
The Guide helps people to stay physically and mentally well by providing “hints and tips” on how to keep fit and independent.
While it is aimed at people of any age, it is particularly relevant for people aged around 70 years or older who are beginning to find that everyday tasks now take them.......
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01 December 2015
Residents hoping that the vacant space in the refurbished Palmers Green Library would be used as a health centre, GP surgery or dental surgery will be disappointed by the news that a ten year lease is to be granted to a commercial fitness club operator. The decision could be subject to a Councillor Call In but this would have to be done before this Friday.
Index of Published Decisions
The news that Enfield Council has decided to let the space to Fit4Less (a brand of Energie Fitness.......
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and forum comments
03 November 2015
Healthwatch Enfield is surveying opinions about the provision of adult social care in the borough.
Does a care worker come to you or your relative’s home?
Do you think you may need a home care service in the future?
If you answered yes to either of those questions we really want to hear what you think of adult social care in the borough. Please follow this link to complete the survey........
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20 October 2015
The Care Act introduces the most significant changes over the last 60 years. If you are a carer, receiving attendance allowance, disability allowance, personal payments then you really need to come along to the Ruth Winston Centre and listen to Michael Sprosson, Health Housing and Adult Social Care Team at Enfield Council to find out how it affects you. There will be a Q&A session after his talk.
The talk starts at 11am at the Ruth Winston Centre in the Davies Room on Friday.......
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