EAST LONDON health campaigners will be going for a healthy walk in Ilford this weekend, but it’s a walk with a purpose. They will be demonstrating against plans to close the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department at the local King George’s hospital.
Closing A&E would not just be bad news for anyone needing urgent medical treatment in the area. Closure would downgrade the hospital with campaigners worried it would become little more than a community clinic. And with every other nearby hospital full to the brim, there is no spare capacity locally to absorb the patients who would be turned away from King George’s.
Campaigners have pointed out that we cannot take the NHS for granted. Most of us have been grateful to the NHS in the past, or have friends or family who have received treatment. None of us knows when we or our loved ones will need the NHS next – but if we want it to be there, we have to get out on the streets to protect it.
All East Londoners are invited to join in the March on Saturday. If your marching days are over, you would be very welcome to come and show your support at the Rally.
THIS SATURDAY, 14TH OCTOBER March and Rally to save the A&E at King George’s Hospital, Ilford 11.30am: assemble in Central Park, Dagenham RM10 7EU March to Redbridge Town Hall, 128-142 High Rd, Ilford IG1 1DD 3pm: Public meeting at the Town Hall Chaired by Dr Jackie Applebee Turner, Tower Hamlets GP leader and member of BMA and Doctors in UNITE.
•The demonstration has been called by the Save King George Hospital campaign, a multi-party, multi-faith campaign to stop the closure of A&E and call for the return of maternity services to King George Hospital. For more information, go to: savekinggeorgehospital.blogspot.co.uk
•Read more about it: Health campaigners protest over funding cuts Campaigners back cleaners at Barts AGM
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