Andrew Dismore backs the Barnet Eye on effects of NHS cuts in Barnet

Today Barnet & Camden GLA repAndrew Dismore issued a press release highlighting the chaos in A&E healthcare in Barnet. Mr Dismore drew attention to case of Mr John Sullivan, guest blogger at the Barnet Eye and cancer patient. Mr Sullivans guest blog earlier this week detailed how he had a vital operation cancelled due to lack of intensive care beds. Read Mr Sullivans blog here Guest Blog - Barnet Residents call for a public enquiry into the state of the NHS in Barnet by John Sullivan

The Barnet Eye is calling for a public enquiry into the effects of NHS cuts in our locality, especially in the light of the closure of Chase Farm hospital.

Mr Sullivan is now home following his operation, which is great news.

Here is Mr Dismore's press release.

In today’s City Hall Health Committee evidence session, Andrew Dismore, Labour London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden argued with health chiefs over the consequences of the closure of Chase Farm A and E.

Mr Dismore revealed figures that showed the pressures this has caused on the London Ambulance Service, cancelled operations, and delayed transfers of patients out of hospital (Appendix B)

 Mr Dismore said:

“The London Ambulance Service at Barnet had 380 ambulance handovers which took over 30 minutes and at North Middlesex no fewer than 1,319, way ahead of any other hospital in the London area. This means that the ambulances are tied up when they should be available to attend to other patients.  On 4 occasions, ambulances were diverted from Barnet due to a lack of capacity.

51 operations were cancelled at Barnet and 90 at the Royal Free. Hospital beds were unavailable at Barnet on 963 occasions, 666 at North Middlesex and 474 at Royal Free due to delays in transferring patients out of hospital.

It is clear that the decisions around the closure of Chase Farm (which was promised not to happen before the election but followed soon after) have led to serious problems that have not been addressed, as we predicted.

I particularly highlighted the case of a pensioner whose cancer operation was cancelled at Royal Free due to lack of a bed.

It is time the Coalition Government realised that the NHS is not coping with the consequences of their ill thought out decisions and takes urgent action to redress the outcome of their folly”.

APPENDIX B Winter Pressures Daily Situation Reports Winter 2013-14 Data – 4th November to 26th February NHS England Accessed 03.13.2014	A&E Diverts	Trolley Waits Over 12 Hours	Cancelled Elective and Urgent Operations	Ambulance Handovers Longer than 30 mins	Days Delayed Transfer of Care
Barnet And Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust	4	4	51	380	963