ENFIELD residents told News Line yesterday: we won’t let Chase Farm close!
Stuart Hasler, a young Enfield resident, who joined in the campaigning and gave out leaflets for the July 26 march to save the hospital, said: ‘I was born at Chase Farm Hospital and I have been a patient there many times and they have helped me a lot.
‘I have special needs and I have learning difficulties and I am disabled.
‘A doctor from Chase Farm comes to visit me regularly.
‘I’m coming to the picket tomorrow morning and the big march on the 26th and I’m going to campaign and give out leaflets throughout the week.’
We spoke to a worker from Chase Farm Hospital, Theresa Dean, who told News Line: ‘I am an operating department practitioner at Chase Farm Hospital and I am angry about the proposed closure.
‘For the people in the area, they would have to go further and that puts their lives at risk.
‘I also live in the area so it affects me in that way as well.
‘Barnet and North Middlesex Hospitals would not be able to cope with the extra patients and extra emergencies.
‘Privatisation is not going to help anyone.
‘In the event of an occupation and a sit-in at Chase Farm Hospital, I would be there anyway and would definitely join in, I am with UNISON.
‘My friend Sue, she would come down and help with her friends from the RMT.
‘It’s all about sticking up for what we believe in. Save Chase Farm!’
A young student, Cara Bevis, said: ‘I am 17 years old and I was born at Chase Farm Hospital and I am very upset that they are thinking of closing down Chase Farm as it is our nearest hospital.
‘I hope that they will keep the hospital open.’
Maria Charalambous said: ‘I hate the idea of polyclinics and I have had to have a lot of treatment done at Chase Farm.
‘I have had two major operations in the last six months and I needed intensive care in the last one.
‘I’m not going to get that at a polyclinic, am I, I probably could have died.
‘These privately-run clinics are no match for the NHS because, when push comes to shove, if you are seriously ill, nothing can beat the NHS and that is 100 per cent.’
