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 yesterday 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.
News Line spoke to people on the picket line.
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.’
Members of the Enfield Pensioners Action Group joined the picket.
One of the leading members, 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.’