Demonstrations over health service changes throughout borough

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Residents from Acton joined local politicians marching across Ealing to protest over changes to local hospitals.

The marches started at both Acton and Southall Parks and ended up on Ealing Common.

At Acton Park, local East Acton councillor and cabinet member for health and adult’s services Hitesh Tailor, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham councils Steve Cowan, MP for Hammersmith Andy Slaughter and MP for Ealing Central and Acton Rupa Huq brought more supporters to the rally.

Meanwhile at Southall Park, Ealing Council leader Julian Bell and MP for Ealing Southall Virendra Sharma led the rally.   

Councillor Julian Bell said: “To see so many campaigners give up their time and support to oppose the NHS plans was vital and we thank them all. It is very clear the opposition that residents have with the proposals.    

“The campaigning doesn’t stop here; we need people to sign the petition to save our hospitals.”   

The rally comes after findings of a recent survey commissioned by Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham councils were published.   

The survey, led by independent market researcher BMG Research, asked 1,514 residents about NHS North West London’s Shaping a Healthier Future plan.    

It found that:

• 90% disagree with plans to close A&E departments at Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals
• 90% disagree with plans to cut 500 hospital beds across the north-west London region
• 94% believe one of the essential features of an A&E should be to treat major injuries or conditions
• 85% are against the downgrade of hospitals’ from major to local
• 92% agree blue light ambulances is an essential feature of A&E units

Residents are urged to sign the petition launched by Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham Councils.

We have asked London North West Health Care Trust for comment.

10 October 2017