OVER 50 workers and youth turned out yesterday morning for the mass picket against the closure of Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield.
Sacked Visteon workers joined the picket line and motorists hooted their horns to show support, while lorries sounded their klaxons against the threatened clo
Speaking to News Line, Bill Rogers, secretary of the North-East London Council of Action, said: ‘This is the best response we’ve ever had for one of our mass pickets.
‘It follows on from the tremendous demonstration we had through the town on June 6th, when hundreds of supporters turned out and every time we mentioned occupation they clapped and cheered.
‘This demonstration was a turning point for us.
‘Just when the powers that be were saying that people were beginning to accept that closure was a done deal, our demonstration showed that it is exactly the opposite.
‘The people from Enfield will not allow this hospital to close.
‘They will do everything that’s necessary to keep it open. Our demonstration proved that, and the huge response to our mass picket today proved that as well.’
Chase Farm orthopaedics doctor, Moustafa Al-Saed, said: ‘The hospital is already struggling to cope with one site only.
‘If they close departments this will affect local people.
‘I would prefer it if Chase Farm remains a District General Hospital.’
Vesna, a patient from Oakwood, said: ‘I support the campaign to keep Chase Farm Hospital open.
‘I rely on the hospital for treatmet. I think it’s very important to local people.’
Sidney, a 77-year-old patient from Ponders End, said: ‘I rely on the hospital very much.
‘The closure of services will be very dangerous to patients.’
