TODAY is the final day for Ealing Hospital Maternity, but the residents and staff remain completely angry at the planned closure.
They are marching through Southall today to the hospital to demand that the Maternity remains open. Tajammul and Sadaf Hussain brought their new baby to the maternity on Monday evening and spoke to News Line. They said: ‘Our baby Hareem was born on 20 June and we have come back today because she is not feeding properly. The staff have been so nice to us. Closure of this ward is a terrible blow for all of us. We live in Southall and I am coming on the march,’ said Tajammul.
Chanan Rattu said: ‘When the hospital was opened not so many years ago I was so happy because it means that the whole community is properly looked after. We want it to be open forever. Our march is just the start of a fight we are determined to win.’
Manjit Sandhu said: ‘I worked here for 10 years and it is a very good hospital. Four of my six grandchildren were born here and had the best possible care. My second grandchild was born within seven minutes of arrival and we were so glad the maternity was so near otherwise who knows what would have happened.’
Amarjeet Chahal from Southall said: ‘I gave the leaflets into our health centre. After Wednesday’s march all of Southall and Ealing workers must be called out on strike to ensure our maternity is restored.’
Mary Elsabahy, Activity Co-ordinator for Mental Health at St Bernard’s hospital, next to Ealing hospital, said: ‘I am appalled. We have to stop this closure. It’s tough enough and frightening enough to have a baby without having to get on bus after bus and hope you get somewhere in time.’
Elin Ballsten added: ‘My baby is due in September and I am here for a blood test today. I had my other baby here and I want to have this one here.’
At Greenford bus garage, Unite member Tarlok Chana told News Line: ‘I am joining the march. I am retiring today after working on the buses for 15 years. I am proud to march for Ealing hospital on my first day of retirement. I am going to be needing this hospital as I get older.’ Unite member Thaya Thayakaran said: ‘I marched last week and I am marching again tomorrow, this is my hospital.’
At Southall College, 19-year-old Uzma Sarauni said: ‘I live in Southall and when I have babies I want to have them in Ealing hospital. Ealing hospital is really good, it’s the best place. We will march tomorrow to save Ealing hospital wing and we will tell our colleagues and families as well.’
UCU member Lynn Johnston said: ‘It’s terrible for mothers who live in the area. I am going to Australia next week to visit two Ealing babies Aidan and Aiofe. Aidan was 19 last week. I am going on the march tomorrow and I am going to tell them I marched for their hospital.’
Sukh Jando, Ealing college support staff member, said: ‘It’s disgusting. Public money should be used for the public as opposed to used for killing innocents abroad.’ Manjeet Singh, a 19-year-old student and his friend Tqudeer Gola said: ‘We will definitely come on the march to stop the hospital closing.’
UCU member Moya Daly said: ‘My daughter was a midwife at Ealing but has now been moved to Hillingdon. She trained at Ealing and has been there for 7 years. She cried when she came home for the last time. She’s concerned about the safety of the women who now have a long way to go for clinics.’