Whittington campaign gathers pace

Members of the Defend the Whittington Hospital Coalistion took to the streets outside Islington Town Hall this week in protest against the possible closure of The Whittington Hospital's accident and emergency unit.

It is now known that the official NHS proposals for the North Central London seek to downgrade the Whittington and up to five other North London hospitals to "local hospital" status. Seven scenarios are proposed in the North Central London NHS Strategy Plan 2010 – 2014, all of which include an ‘Urgent Care Centre’.

In three possible scenarios include the full A&E service would be retained; in two the A&E services would be reduced to 16 hours per day, and in two scenarios there would be no A&E provision at all.

"Its clearly an attack on the services at all North London’s hospitals, and we have to stick together and resist any ‘divide and rule’ tactics," said Dave Morris of Defend Haringey’s Health Services Coaltion.Broadcaster Mel­vyn Bragg, author Nick Hornby and actor Terry Jones are among the prominent figures who have spoken out against the proposals, with comedian Charlie Higson calling the plans "ludicrous and ridiculous". MP Jeremy Corbyn spoke to the House of Commons in November about his concerns that closing the A&E department would be a first step towards total closure of the hospital.

"It is evident that any reduction in the A&E services at the Whittington will lead to a reduction in other services at the hospital, as well as job losses and risk to our community," said Corbyn. "Millions of pounds have been spent on upgrading the Whittington and I do not want any of this put at risk by short-sighted decision making."

NHS chief executive Rachel Tyndall has come under criticism for holding a local "consultation" on health minister Lord Darzi's healthcare reforms with fewer than 200 people. Many local residents were unaware that such a consultation was underway.

The 1,400-member Highgate Society this week sent a strongly-worded letter to Health Secretary Andy Burnham opposing the closure proposals. A mass march and rally will be staged later this month on 27 February, assembling at 12 noon in Highbury Fields for a march to the Whittington Hospital.

For more information about the campaign, see http://dwhc.org.uk