Protest Planned Over Ealing Maternity Closure

Local MP Virendra Sharma to address rally

A rally is being organised outside Ealing Hospital at 12 noon on Wednesday July 1st to protest against the closure of Ealing Maternity Unit.

Wednesday’s protest will hear from Southall MP Virendra Sharma, local trade unions, Ealing Save Our NHS campaigners and supporters from health campaigns in Hammersmith and Lewisham. As well as protesting against the closure of Maternity, the rally will also thank Maternity staff for their work in supporting local mothers.

The rally will be supported by a short demonstration from Hanwell Clock Tower, assembling at 11.30 am.

Eve Turner, from Ealing Save Our NHS Campaign, which is organising the event said: “The birth rate is rising in Ealing and we have the third highest birth rate in London. Closing Maternity is outrageous and it’s almost unbelievable that health authorities are trying to claim it will somehow improve services. They have spent millions of public money on consultants and public relations to sell these plans to the community, but nevertheless they have no support.”

Campaigners and hospital workers are concerned that closing the maternity unit is being done to clear the way for downgrading Ealing A&E services and the whole hospital, as part of the ‘Shaping a Healthier Future” plan to break up the NHS and gradually privatise services in North West London.
Meanwhile the Independent Healthcare Commission into the future of the NHS in North West London, is preparing to issue a major report into “Shaping a Healthier Future” which is widely expected to be strongly critical of it.

1st July 2015