OVER 100 workers, youth, pensioners and NHS staff from inside the hospital participated in the North East London Council of Action picket to defend Chase Farm Hospital from closure on Tuesday from 7am to 2pm.
The campaigners called on workers and patients to be prepared to join an occupation to stop the planned closure of the hospital’s A&E, maternity and paediatric departments.
North East London Council of Action secretary Bill Rogers told News Line: ‘We had a powerful picket today, with a tremendous response from staff, patients and the local community.
‘Nurses from the maternity department joined the picket with their bright new banner.
‘People don’t agree with the government’s emergency “czar” Professor Alberti’s report.
‘Far from saving the hospital, it’s a recipe for closing it.
‘The Council of Action was set up to organise an occupation and real action to save Chase Farm and any other hospital faced with cuts and closures – and we will do just that.
‘Speaking to the pickets and supporters today, there is 100 per cent support for an occupation.’
Council of Action committee member, hospital consultant Anna Athow added: ‘This is a great day.
‘We’ve got lots of support from staff and visitors.
‘We’re going to continue this campaign and we need the unions involved.
‘The Alberti report shows that the primary care trusts are determined to close Chase Farm as an acute hospital, and we will need physical action to stop the closure.’
Chase Farm midwifery assistant Maria Suarez said: ‘We want to keep the maternity open.
‘We offer an excellent service to pregnant ladies as well as excellent post-natal care by all our community midwives.
‘I’m determined to fight for my job and to keep the department open for the people of Enfield and the surrounding area.
‘I’m prepared to make a stand and join an occupation to stop the closure.’
Clerical officer Leon Rach said: ‘We have to keep the hospital open.
‘The unions must take action.
‘I will join an occupation to keep the departments open.
‘We need to keep the A&E here, not have people having to go to Barnet. People’s lives are at risk.’
Student Danielle Clark added: ‘It’s sick, really. It’s just about money.
‘We have to stop the closures.
‘I’d take part in an occupation to keep the hospital, open.’
Ex-nurse Rosetta Reeves, a social workers at North Middlesex Hospital told News Line: ‘I’m amazed.
‘I’m shocked that the government really wants to shut down such good hospitals that provide such good healthcare for the community.
‘It makes you ask: “Do they realise what damage they are doing?”
‘Apart from taking away the service from the people, they are driving away the specialists, doctors and a large part of the workforce to other countries.
‘We trained them. We need to keep them to keep the NHS running.
‘We have to stop this happening.
‘I will take part in any occupation to stop the A&E and maternity closures.’
Local council education officer Stacey Gilmour said: ‘It’s disgusting what they are planning.
‘I don’t understand where everybody is going to go for all the services they are intending to close.
‘My sister is a nurse at North Middlesex and I know their wards are finding it difficult to cope.
‘It’s obvious that if they close more hospitals, the NHS won’t cope and people will suffer.
‘I will support action, including occupation, to stop the closures.
‘The trade unions need to lead the action, someone needs to.’
Seyfi Gurgur, a clothing factory worker, said: ‘The government is spending lots of money on war but it won’t spend the money on the health service and education.
‘That’s all wrong. Where will people go if they close these services?
‘We have to take action to keep this hospital open.
‘I will take part in an occupation to keep the hospital open.’
Walter Kress of Enfield Pensioners Action Group told News Line: ‘We’ve got to stand firm against all these injustices.
‘We have to stop these closures, one way or another.’
Student Brian Leonardo said: ‘It’s a sad situation. They are putting profit before people’s lives.
‘People can’t afford private healthcare.
‘A very good hospital that has been serving people for years is to be closed down to serve the rich at the expense of the needy.
‘This has to be stopped. I would support a sit-in to keep the hospital open.
‘The trade unions should take action. It’s time for them to show their power again.’
Kerry Gill, a clerical officer, added: ‘They shouldn’t close any of this down.
‘It will affect patients and people working here.
‘We definitely should stop it. I totally disagree with the plan for closures.
‘This is the closest hospital to the M25. If there is a major accident they have a better chance of survival here than having to go to Barnet.
‘I’d support an occupation to stop the closures.’
Care worker Donna said: ‘It’s terrible. It’s really bad for people who live round here.
‘We should stop the closures – what do we pay National Insurance for?
‘We don’t want the NHS going private. We have to take action.’
UNISON rep Julie Simon, a support worker at Hackney College, said: ‘I’ve come to support the nurses.
‘We have to do whatever it takes to keep these vital services open.
‘The population is increasing, so we need our hospital services even more.
‘People are living longer, so why close services when people are living longer?
‘All these managers who get £100,000 a year, they should reduce their wages instead of closing down essential services.’
Sue Fitzgerald, a midwife at Chase Farm, told News Line: ‘I’m here to keep the maternity consultant unit open. And the A&E open.
‘I’m concerned that when the Olympics comes to Pickett’s Lock and Broxbourne, if there is a major accident where will people go?
‘North Middlesex would not be able to cope alone.
‘All the government is interested in is selling off the NHS with no thought to local people.
‘The trade unions and the community of Enfield need to act to save Chase Farm.
‘We have to do everything necessary to keep it open.
‘Our future depends on Chase Farm. Without Chase Farm we have no future.’
Young Socialists member Jordan Farrell-Berry said: ‘I’m here to add to the North East London Council of Action and to make people more aware of what is happening.
‘Our hospitals are being privatised. Hospitals should be free. The health service is not a business, it is a necessity.
‘We have to keep Chase Farm and all hospitals open – you can’t put a price on life.’
Chase Farm health care assistant, Faridah Mukabarisa, said: ‘I don’t support the closure at all. Patients need our care and if they close where are patients going to go?
‘The unions should take action and stop the closures.
‘I would support a sit-in to keep the A&E and other departments open.’
Student nurse Omownmi Raufu added: ‘I don’t think they should close the A&E, maternity and paediatric departments. We must stop it from happening.’
Nursing assistant Rhona McLaren said: ‘I don’t agree with the closure plan at all. I think it’s gross!
‘They should keep Chase Farm open.
‘It’s up to the workers and local residents to keep the hospital open.
‘I would back an occupation to keep Chase Farm open.’
Mrs Augusta Costa, a secretary, said: ‘I used to work in Chase Farm. I’m against the closure. There should be action to stop it.
‘The trade unions should take action. I support occupying the hospital to stop the closures.’
Juanita George, a lab technician, added: ‘We have to keep the hospital open because if you have to go to Barnet there is overcrowding and understaffing there.
‘The closest hospitals from here are quite far away. It will risk people’s lives if they close Chase Farm.
‘I will join a sit-in to stop them closing our hospital.’
Another secretary, Mrs Franks, said: ‘It’s a slippery slope and if it goes on, it’s the beginning of the end of the NHS as we know it.
‘I blame Mr Blair. We have to take action to stop the closures.
‘If people don’t stand up, it will continue.’
Obstetrics registrar, Dr Ramna Mandal, said: ‘I’m for occupying to keep the maternity open. It should be kept open, it’s so important for the people.’
Staff nurse Angie Solomon said: ‘It’s rubbish to close our A&E.
‘Where are the nurses going to work?
‘And it’s so unfair to send people to Barnet in the night. It’s too far away, it would risk lives.
‘We have to take action to stop the closure.
‘We will join a sit-in to keep the departments open.’
Child carer Victoria Vaughan added: ‘They are tearing down the nurses’ home. To build houses in a hospital is stupid.
‘It’s all about money these days.
‘We have to stop them destroying our hospitals.
‘I will join a sit-in to stop them closing the hospital. We should occupy the land to keep the builders off.’
A leading member of the Enfield Pensioners Action Group, Madge Jones, told News Line: ‘I live in Brimsdown. I’m concerned about having to travel to Barnet.
‘And I’ve heard they are going to close a stroke unit at Barnet – so where are we supposed to go?
‘We have to take action to stop the closures.
‘I’d support an occupation. I’d do a sit-in if necessary.’
