David Burrowes MP

Conservative Party | Enfield Southgate

Burrowes Battles on for Chase Farm

David Burrowes MP for Enfield Southgate has spoken up in Parliament to defend Chase Farm Hospital against Government proposals to reconfigure the NHS.

The hotly contested reconfigurations could see, amongst other closures, the maternity sections of Chase Farm shut down and incorporated into the hospital at Barnet, leaving expectant mothers a dangerous journey away from necessary care.

David addressed questions to the Secretary of State for Health, demanding to know why clinician’s views about the paramount safety of mother and baby were being swept aside in favour of heavy-handed and seemingly unnecessary arrangements.

David addressed the minister to ask: “If the Minister is serious that clinician’s views and the interests and safety of mothers and babies are paramount, why is a proposal being made to downgrade maternity services at Chase farm Hospital without the clinical evidence? Why is it that the unit, along with the others mentioned in the house today, are close to the level that the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends should be kept open?"

And was met with the response by Ann Keen that: “There is no evidence at all that the clinicians’ views in any of the reconfigurations are not being taken seriously. Safety for Mother’s is paramount and that is why we have the safest record in Europe and one that is even safer than that of the United States. That point is on the record. We have to say that reconfiguration sometimes causes distress through the consultation, but the consultation will proceed at all times by taking into account the safety of mothers and babies.”

David commented further: “The proposed reconfigurations for Chase Farm are not something that we will simply accept. I will do all I can to keep up pressure on the Government to save the hospital that is so vital to our local community.”

The battle continues to save Chase Farm.