Edgware Community Hospital is set to expand as part of a radical shake-up of hospital services.

The plan will help bring more services out of ‘acute’ hospitals serving the area, such as Barnet Hospital, and closer to patients’ homes, according to Barnet Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The expanded hospital is likely to offer a greater range of surgery and extend its opening hours. It will also take over some outpatient services from Barnet Hospital.

The PCT has launched a review of the hospital’s functions to help decide how the expansion could work.

Charles Hollwey, chief executive of Barnet PCT, said: “Barnet PCT is planning for the future to ensure the local population has access to a wide range of healthcare services and that these services are close to their homes.

“It is important that we undertake this review to ensure Edgware Commu-nity Hospital can continue to provide and increase the range of high quality health services.

“Barnet PCT will work closely with our key stakeholders and the community to ensure proposals are in line with the healthcare needs of Barnet residents.”

The expansion is part of a broader shake-up of hospital services in Barnet and the neighbouring boroughs of Enfield and Haringey.

The changes involve the closure of the A&E department at Chase Farm Hospital, in Enfield, and the reduction of its maternity services, provoking fears that health services in Barnet will have to cope with more patients.

Councillor Helena Hart, cabinet member for public health, said: “At first sight I am delighted to see the PCT’s stated commitment, in black and white, to extend the range of services on site at Edgware Community Hospital.

“Together with the promised improved services this will be absolutely essential if we are to have any hope of protecting residents from the fall-out of the cuts at Chase Farm.”

A spokesman for Barnet PCT said it has not yet decided how the public will be involved in the review process, but hopes to complete the review by March.