Chase Farm Hospital , 1938-1948 x Chase Farm School Infirmary , 1886-1938

Chase Farm Hospital , 1938-1948 x Chase Farm School Infirmary , 1886-1938

Chase Farm Schools were opened in 1886 by Edmonton Board of Guardians to accommodate 500 children. They replaced the former Edmonton Union Schools also in Enfield on the site now occupied by St Michael's Hospital. By 1930 when the Schools were transferred to Middlesex County Council, the Medical Officer of Health for Middlesex reported that the buildings intended for the accommodation and education of 600 children were under-utilised. Only 300 children were resident in the Schools and a change of policy meant that they now attended ordinary day schools in the area. The lower floor of the Infirmary and another block were now used for the care of 82 sick children and infants transferred from the North Middlesex Hospital. It was decided to adapt another isolated block to accommodate 37 bedridden infirm women from Edmonton House and North Middlesex Hospital. By 1938 Chase Farm as it was now known, had almost ceased to be a children's home and had become a hospital for the elderly. On the outbreak of war in 1939 Chase Farm became an emergency hospital with 800 beds. In 1948 it became part of the National Health Service as a general hospital under the control of the North East Thames Regional Health Authority and Enfield Hospital Management Committee.

In 1992 it became the Chase Farm Hospital NHS Trust and in 1999 was joined with Barnet Hospital to become the Barnet and Chase Farms NHS Trust. During the 1990's a large amount of building work took place including the construction of the 'Highlands Wing' a new surgical block. All the wards were also refurbished. The site is also the base for the Enfield Community Care NHS Trust which provides community services, learning disabilities and mental health services.