Controversial plans to axe A&E and maternity services at a hospital serving the borough have been rubber stamped by the Government.

The Independent Review Panel (IRP), an expert on NHS change, has advised the Government to back the plan drawn up by Primary Care Trusts from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey after analysing its potential impacts.

Alan Johnson, the secretary of state for health, announced his approval today and Barnet, Enfield and Haringey PCTs will now press ahead with their joint plans to revamp the way hospital care is provided in the three boroughs.

The closure of vital services at Chase Farm Hospital, in Enfield, will force more patients to use Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, further stretching resources at the hospital.

Planned and emergency surgery will also be divided between Chase Farm Hospital and Barnet Hospital.

Campaigners and Barnet Council have argued that the plan could overburden Barnet Hospital and raised concerns about the transport links between Enfield and Barnet.

The plans were referred to the secretary of state for health after a joint scrutiny committee (JSC) of councillors from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey objected to them.

Announcing his decision, Mr Johnson wrote to the JSC: “Having taken the JSC’s concerns into account and having carefully considered the advice of the IRP, I am satisfied that the proposals are in the interests of the local health service and service users.”

Peter Barnes, Medical Director of Enfield PCT and a GP, said: “I am delighted with the secretary of state’s decision and the results of the IRP review.

"This is great news for all the patients in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and South Hertfordshire. These improvements will create better and safer services for all and bring local healthcare into the 21st century.

“It has been a long road leading to where we are today and I am pleased to be able to draw a line under this stage of the process and start delivering really tangible improvements for residents and patients across North London."

Health chiefs believe that maintaining all services across the different sites at a high standard is unsustainable.

They believe that pooling resources on fewer sites will improve the level of care available to patients.

However Council leader Mike Freer suggested the decision was financial and criticised the Government for forcing through "cuts" while the NHS is on course for a £1.7 billion budget surplus.

“Bailing out public finances is clearly more important to this Government than patient care," he said. “That is why Labour has agreed to cut Chase Farm and risk overloading Barnet General with extra patients.

“Yet again the needs of local people and the views of their elected representatives are being sidelined to satisfy the whims of this Government.

"We should be looking after ailing patients, not ailing politicians."

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers, who has campaigned for Chase Farm Hospital's A&E to stay open, said patient care is bound to suffer.

"Residents who normally use Chase Farm A&E will face added stress and real problems getting to Barnet General instead.

"The Secretary of State’s decision is also bound to increase traffic congestion as people have to travel further for treatment.

"I am bitterly disappointed by the Government's decision to close the Emergency Department."