ENFIELD North MP Nick de Bois has expressed “growing concern” over plans to cut nearly 900 jobs in the London Ambulance Service.

The service is aiming to cut £53m in spending between now and 2015, including axing 560 frontline jobs dealing directly with patients.

But Mr de Bois, who is campaigning against the closure of the A&E department at Chase Farm hospital, said it was important to consider how cuts would affect emergency journey times to other hospitals if the closure went through.

In a letter to London Ambulance Service chief executive Peter Bradley, he said: “Notwithstanding the need for savings throughout the health service, it is important to protect frontline services across London.

“In the light of your announcement, I know my constituents would like to understand the effect of your plans on Enfield patients.

“Given the probability that the two A&E units at North Middlesex and Barnet would reach capacity, how would a reduction in front line services affect the requirement to take emergency cases further afield to other A&E units?”

Mr Bradley said it would be “impossible” to make the necessary savings without job cuts, but said it is hoped most of the reductions will be made through “natural wastage” as staff leave the service voluntarily.

The move has been met with anger from unions and ambulance workers, who blame the Government for “forcing” the cuts on the service.

Mr de Bois told the Enfield Independent: "These threats to the ambulance service serve only to underline further why we need to keep our A&E at Chase Farm.

"The council's alternative plan for the future of our hospitals should take this into account."