Cat’s the way to do it as protesters get animated in support of Whittington Hospital
Published: 23 April 2010
by TOM FOOT
NHS campaigners are gearing up for a second show of people power on Thursday in support of the Whittington Hospital.
The Accident & Emergency and maternity departments at the Highgate hospital are threatened with closure.
Dozens of imaginative and eye-catching mini-protests will be staged outside schools, surgeries and churches on the day.
Hundreds of balloons will be released and protesters, wearing cat masks and suits, will rally outside the hospital from 1pm.
Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition is determined to keep up the pressure on health bosses following the mass march through Islington in February.
The coalition’s co-chair Shirley Franklin said: “We urge everyone to join us.”
DWHC has collected more than 13,000 signatures against the controversial review of hospital services led by Rachel Tyndall, chief executive of the North Central London sector trust.
Speakers will include the shadow health minister Andrew Lansley, Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn,
Keep Our NHS Public co-founder Wendy Savage and union representatives.
Mr Lansley told the Tribune last month he would “press the reset” button on the review of hospital services in north London.
Mr Corbyn has secured two parliamentary debates on the “Future of the Whittington” and campaigned against any downgrading of the hospital.
Lib Dems, nationally and locally, have also voiced strong objections. Public consultation on the future of the hospital is expected to begin in September.