Services at the North Middlesex Hospital could come under threat if the Conservatives win Enfield North at the general election, Joan Ryan warned on Sunday.

Speaking at the launch of her campaign for re-election, Ms Ryan reminded voters of the fate of Chase Farm Hospital when the Conservatives won Enfield North in 2010. After Tory candidate Nick de Bois was elected, the Conservatives ripped up their campaign pledges and began shutting services at Chase Farm. The hospital’s A&E was axed, the maternity unit closed and the number of inpatient beds slashed from 500 to 48.

Given the Conservative record of broken promises on the NHS, North Middlesex Hospital could find itself similarly downgraded if they recapture the seat in June, predicted Joan Ryan: “The closure of Chase Farm Hospital’s A&E tipped North Middlesex Hospital over the edge. Before long, ambulances were being diverted from there too, and there were plans to partially close it.

“But I refused to let that happen. So I led another massive campaign and with the help of over 5,000 local residents we saved North Mid’s A&E from closing.

“Imagine what would have happened if it had still been a Tory MP instead of me. And now think what might happen if the Tories managed to get elected in Enfield North on Thursday 8th June. What would be left if they downgraded North Middlesex Hospital?”

Outlining the choice at the general election, Ms Ryan said: “In just a few weeks’ time, the people of Enfield North have to make a big decision. Do they want me continuing to campaign side-by-side with local people and fighting for the things that matter to our community as their Member of Parliament, or do they want a Conservative who’s only interested in getting elected and couldn’t care less about Enfield?”

Last week, Ms Ryan expressed her disappointment that the Prime Minister failed to visit Chase Farm Hospital during her visit to Enfield North on Thursday (20 April), and for not apologising to the people of Enfield for the Conservatives’ broken promises on the NHS.

She said, “The government’s broken promises have left our NHS on its knees. And the huge pressure placed upon our health services has meant local hospitals have struggled to cope with the increased workload, as we saw last summer at North Middlesex Hospital.

“Local residents deserve an apology from the Prime Minister and they also deserve an MP who will fight their corner and stand up for the vital services upon which they rely.

“I’ll always put Enfield first. I work hard every day to repay the trust the voters have placed in me and I will continue to campaign hard for improvements to our public services, our area and for the people of Enfield.”