ENFIELD GROUP HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE , 1948-1974 x Hospital Management Committee, Enfield Group (North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board)

ENFIELD GROUP HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE , 1948-1974 x Hospital Management Committee, Enfield Group (North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board)

This Committee was established by the North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board in June 1948 to carry out work under the National Health Service Act in anticipation of the creation of the National Health Service in July 1948.

Between 1948 and 1963 the Enfield Group administered the following hospitals:

Cheshunt Cottage Hospital

Enfield War Memorial Hospital

Enfield House (later St. Michael's Hospital)

Chase Farm Hospital

South Lodge Hospital (formerly Enfield Isolation Hospital)

The Group also oversaw the following health centres:

Waltham Cross Clinic

Southbury Road Clinic

Cuffley Clinic

Temple House Convalescent Home

Also mentioned in the records are Cheshunt Isolation Hospital and Cheshunt Smallpox Hospital and Enfield and Edmonton Infectious Diseases Hospital. It is possible that these are former or alternative names for hospitals in the Group.

In 1949 the Group renamed Enfield House hospital St. Michael’s Hospital and proposed the sale of Cheshunt Smallpox Hospital.

From 1965 onwards the Group was responsible for the administration of Highlands General Hospital which was transferred from the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board to the North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board following regional boundary changes brought about by the London Government Act 1963 which meant that the former borough of Southgate was transferred to the North East Board.

In 1966 the Group decided to integrate South Lodge Hospital with Highlands General Hospital, South Lodge becoming a wing of Highlands General Hospital.

On 1 April 1966 Edmonton Group Hospital Management Committee amalgamated with Enfield Group Hospital Management Committee and the new Committee went under the name Enfield Group Hospital Management Committee. The amalgamation brought the following hospitals under the administration of the Enfield Group:

North Middlesex Hospital

Greentrees Hospital

Tower Maternity Annexe

St. [Saint] David’s Hospital

At amalgamation the Enfield Group comprised ten hospitals with 2,400 beds and 3000 staff and became one of the largest general hospital groups in the country.

Following amalgamation, the Group was divided into three Sub-groups: Highlands Sub-group; Chace [Chase] Sub-group; and North Middlesex Sub-group. Highlands Sub-group was responsible for South Lodge Hospital and Highlands General Hospital. North Middlesex Sub-group was responsible for North Middlesex Hospital, Greentrees Hospital, Tower Maternity Annexe and St. David’s Hospital. Chace [Chase] Sub-group was responsible for Chase Farm Hospital, Cheshunt Cottage Hospital, Enfield War Memorial Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital. Each Sub-group had a Committee which reported to the new Enfield Group Hospital Management Committee.

In 1971 the Group decided to close St. Davids Hospital and transfer patients to St. Faith’s Hospital. The closure of Greentrees Hospital was also considered.

In 1973 the Group decided to combine Chace [Chase] Farm Hospital and Highlands Hospital and to rename the hospital Enfield District Hospital with Chace Wing and Highlands Wing.

In 1974 the NHS was re-organised and Enfield Group Hospital Management Committee was wound up. Administration transferred to the new Enfield and Haringey Area Health Authority.