Over 300 people rallied outside the Whittington Hospital, north London, yesterday lunchtime, against the closure of the hospital’s A&E and maternity departments.
Organisers ‘Defend the Whittington Hospital Coalition’ presented the occasion as a victory rally, on the basis of a statement by Health Secretary Andy Burnham, that it ‘is inconceivable that Labour would support the closure or downgrading of the Whittington Hospital A&E and maternity’.
But many at the rally were guarded about that statement.
Campaign co-ordinator Shirley Franklin told the rally: ‘It’s not just about the A&E, it’s about the loss of mental health beds.
‘We need mental health addressed properly.’
Edgware RMT level 1 industrial rep John Reid warned: ‘Whoever is elected is going to institute massive cuts.
‘As trade unionists we have to unite to fight these cuts.
‘We have to form Councils of Action if necessary.
‘We already face safety issues on the Underground.
‘Trade unions and communities must unite to fight the cuts that are coming after the election.’
PCS assistant secretary, Office of the Public Guardian, Archway, Austin Harney told the rally: ‘The government are moving jobs out of London.
‘That would be a disaster for our clients with Alzheimers and mental illnesses.
‘The three main parties want cuts in the public sector.
‘£25bn is not paid by the wealthy every year, and the government is cutting tax offices.
‘We have to save the public sector.’
Whittington RCM steward Terry Wogan-Webb told News Line: ‘We were delighted with the public support and to hear this closure has been halted.
‘It’s a wise move. But we need to keep our foot on the pedal in case of cuts after the election.’
Artist and ex-staff nurse Rosemary McCarthy added: ‘I’m with the coalition to defend the A&E.
‘It looks as though we are winning and we can save the A&E here.
‘But we can’t be complacent because we’ve got 12 others to win.’
Pensioner David Norman said: ‘My family has a connection here and I’m concerned about the possible impact on North Middlesex Hospital if the Whittington was closed.
‘I’m totally opposed to privatisation, not just in health but across the public sector.
‘Quite rightly, money was invested in the A&E here, it ran into several million pounds, but it’s been done under PFI so the contractor is making money at the cost of the NHS.
‘If the A&E was closed and the hospital became redundant, the contractors will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of building a polyclinic, to continue ripping off the people.
‘Health Secretary Burnham has assured us that the A&E will stay.
‘But we have to be guarded. We can’t trust the Strategic Health Authority in London until those assurances are signed and sealed.
‘I’m 70, I have used the NHS. When I die I hope that what I put in is left for everybody else.’
Unison member, Whittington pharmacist Maya Begovic told News Line: ‘We have to save our A&E because if the A&E goes we’ll lose a lot of the services.
‘The hospital would shrink and end up as just a big health centre.
‘Haringey doesn’t have an A&E and we are the only A&E in Islington.
‘Plus the population around here don’t have cars. They rely on public transport.
‘Andy Burnham’s assurances have to be taken cautiously. We have to stay our ground.
‘This is not the right country to make cuts.
‘It’s a rich country. It should be able to afford public services.
‘If they can find money for the banks, then they can find it for public services.’
