Tuesday's meeting in Hammersmith was massive - 200 plus, angry and determined. Council leader Stephen Cowan committed to challenging the "Shaping a Healthier Future" cuts & closures programme saying "We will sue them and we will JR (judicial review) them. There’s nothing we won’t do to save our hospital.”
Ealing's Dr Sandhu described the clinical risks following the closures of Hammersmith & Central Midd A&Es, urging everyone to fight for Ealing's paediatric unit (March on 12th March) and stop what Mansfield commissioner Dr Hirst described as "the hollowing out" of hospital services in NW London. Fellow commissioner John Lister described the 1000% rise in SAHF predicted costs. Acting icon Vanessa Redgrave spoke out. west-london-news/acting-
A junior doctor spoke of the anger felt at Jeremy Hunt's plan to impose unsafe contracts on them and the wide support in the profession for the British Medical Association's decision to resist with 3 sets of 48 hour strike action
(with emergency cover). He received loud applause & a mass solidarity selfie (below). People promised to come to their picket lines on the next strike days - 9th & 10th April. junior-doctors-announce-three-
Patrick Barron, on behalf of SOH made it clear how urgent it is to build on Tuesday's success - we're starting with more Saturday leafleting at two SOH stalls challenging privatisation & supporting the NHS bill, - join us if you can
SOH Saturday Stalls
Sat 27th Feb 2 - 4pm SOH Stall Lyric Square King St
Sat 27th Feb 2 - 3.30pm SOH Stall Shepherds Bush
Market Uxbridge Rd entrance by old library/Bush theatre
Market Uxbridge Rd entrance by old library/Bush theatre
Solidarity Selfies for the Junior Doctors
Leading Mayoral Contender Backing
On Monday in another important development mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan publicly backed the Save CX campaign and spent 40 minutes discussing local health issues with campaigners. It's a massive boost to have the high profile labour candidate so publicly on side and engaged.
SOH is not party political and it's important to remember that we had verbal support from all but the conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith at a recent hustings. We're contacting the pro NHS candidates offering a briefing, a photo call and asking for further support. We're also trying to persuade Zac Goldsmith to change his mind given how many of the his constituents in Barnes and Richmond will be hurt by the planned closures. Francis had a letter about this in the Evening Standard (again!) and SOH campaigners will raise the issue at all future hustings.
Sadiq Khan backing CX Hospital
The almost overwhelming pressures on our health service from cost cutting, closures and privatisation are forcing people to step up campaigns to defend services locally and nationally. In March there's some really important NHS events taking place. Here's an initial timetable, the next enewsletter will give more details. (Please let us know of any we've missed out).
Regards AD
March Diary Dates
Tues 8th March 3pm H&F CCG Board Meeting St Paul's Church
Wed 9th & Thurs 10th March Junior Dr Picket lines from 8am at CX, Hammersmith & St Mary's Hospitals
Fri 11th March 2nd Reading of NHS Bill 9.45am petition Whitehall, 11am Rally outside Parliament
Sat 12th March March to Save Ealing Hospital's Children's Ward Haven Green (opp Ealing Broadway Stn)
Wed 16th March Neighbourhood Network Health Forum 6.30pm Hamm Town Hall (Hammersmith residents)
Check the photos of the meeting here:
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