The stringent rules about visiting patients at the North Middlesex Hospital, especially those with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and patients awaiting test results for COVID-19, are particularly upsetting for families, so the hospital is appealing people with spare tablet computers or smartphones to donate them in order to facilitate 'virtual visits'.
On Tuesday 24th March the North Middlesex Hospital brought in further restrictions on visits to inpatient wards. For details, and to find out about visiting other local hospitals, visit https://healthwatchenfield.co.uk/information-about-coronavirus/local-hospitals/.
Healthwatch Enfield has published a short summary of the findings of a survey of women who gave birth during February 2019, including results for the North Mid and Barnet Hospital (part of the Royal Free group).
In common with all parts of England, the NHS in Enfield is suffering from shortages of GPs and hospital staff, accident and emergency departments at the North Mid and Barnet hospitals are struggling and patients are having to wait longer for planned operations. Enfield's NHS is not alone in being underfunded too, but even compared with neighbouring north London boroughs Enfield suffers from a particularly severe funding problem. And, again like everywhere in England, Enfield's NHS is in the middle of a major reorganisation. You will be able to find out more, and feed in your views, at Healthwatch Enfield's annual general meeting on 4th March at the Lee Valley Sports Complex.
More than a month of almost daily donations of gifts, time and experiences has brought smiles and 'happy tears' to the faces of patients and staff at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, prompting Trust senior leaders to send out a community-wide 'Thankyou' for the incredible generosity. From major companies to small community groups, and professional sports stars to individual families and former patients, the donations have ranged from toys and games, to clothes and snacks - and even a mini ride-on electric car!
Local NHS campaigners are warning that the merger of five North London clinical comissioning groups (CCGs), due to occur in April, is linked to moves to ration healthcare services and increase the participation of American healthcare corporations in the management of the NHS.
If you or someone you know has stayed on Charles Coward Ward at the North Middlesex Hospital in the past three months, then please share your experiences with Healthwatch Enfield via their online survey.
As of 1st October it is no longer possible to use the 'walk in service' at Evergreen Primary Care Centre, Eagle House Surgery and Carlton House Surgery to get a GP appointment during the weekends and public holidays. The evening and weekend GP service will continue to operate, but access to the service will be via appointment only.
