Haringey, Barnet and Enfield Primary Care Trusts agreed yesterday that Option One will be carried out in relation to Chase Farm Hospital – that is the closure of its A&E, Maternity and Paediatric units.
Bill Rogers, the Secretary of the North East London Council of Action, told News Line: ‘This means that Chase Farm Hospital will have to be occupied by the trade unions and community to stop this act of criminal vandalism.’
Earlier, workers and youth were picketing Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield, north London yesterday, making it clear they will not let the hospital’s A&E, Maternity and children’s departments be closed.
Speaking at the lobby organised by the North East London Council of Action, college student Sam Martin said: ‘We have to keep Chase Farm open. It’s horrendous that they plan to shut it.
‘Everyone should occupy the hospital, because it needs to stay open.’
Chase Farm A&E doctor Shahaab Bhatti said: ‘We have to keep the A&E open. It’s a vital resource for the local community.
‘Any closure would put tremendous strain on surrounding A&E departments and ultimately be detrimental to patient care.
‘I support whatever means is taken to keep it open.’
Local resident, Jackie Fountain, added: ‘They shouldn’t be shutting the hospital. The consultation is totally biased.
‘They don’t listen to local people who want to keep their hospital open.’
Social worker John O’Kane, said: ‘We have to keep the A&E and hospital open. I’ll support a sit-in if the unions are behind it.’
Barnet midwife Lou Chow told News Line: ‘We have to keep the Maternity and A&E open to meet the needs of local women.
‘There is not enough capacity at Barnet anyway. I would support people occupying Chase Farm to stop the closure.’
Hospital admin worker Helen Kyriacou said: ‘The plan to shut the A&E, maternity and paediatrics is repulsive.
‘I had my baby here and the service was fantastic. I’ll support a sit-in to keep the hospital open.’
Ed Connolly, a Unite shop steward at a local media monitoring company, said: ‘I’m totally opposed to the closure plan. If it comes to it I would support an occupation.
‘The unions should take action in support of any occupation, most definitely.’
Vinit Mehta, a bank worker, said: ‘Both my kids were born here. My son was rushed into hospital last night after going into convulsions.
‘My wife said imagine what we would do if Chase Farm wasn’t here. The closure plans are absolutely criminal.
‘I’m 100 per cent for keeping the A&E. I would agree with an occupation – whatever needs to be done.’
Student midwife Emma Recielous said: ‘They mustn’t close down our department. It’s a bad plan.
‘We have to keep everything open. If there are complications, having to go from the birth centre in an ambulance would be worrying for women.
‘I would support a sit-in to stop the closure. The unions should support an occupation and be ready to take strike action to defend it.’
Venitia Banton, a student nurse, added: ‘This A&E must not be closed because the public need it and as future nurses, you have our support. We’ll support a sit-in to stop the closures.
‘The trade unions have to support a sit-in and take strike action – use every possible means to prevent the closure.’
Fellow student nurse Temi Atanda added: ‘We need more hospitals, not cuts and closures. I’m ready to stand by to occupy and do whatever I can to keep Chase Farm open.’
Medical student Hitan Joshi declared: ‘I don’t agree with closing down District General Hospitals or charging people for medical care.’
