Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition - campaign group mobilises to fight cuts in mental health services

Published: 25 June, 2010
by TOM FOOT

THE campaign that overturned government plans to dismantle Whittington Hospital is mobilising its members to fight “massive cuts” to mental health services.

The Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition rallied outside the Archway hospital on Tuesday in protest at plans to close beds at Highgate Mental Health Centre, based nearby in Dartmouth Park Hill.

Campaign chairwoman Shirley Franklin said: “It is a disgrace. They are attacking the most vulnerable people in the health service. One in four people has mental health problems.

They are not cutting beds because of a lack of need.”

She added: “Local people saved the A&E – it’s time to stand up for mental health.”

Campaigners have criticised a decision by North Central London sector trust to deny patients access to 25 NHS treatments.

Only women who have no children and are in new relationships will have access to a reverse sterilisation procedure.

Tonsillectomies will be restricted to “special cases”, under the cost-cutting plans.

Coalition member Richard Moth told the budget day protest that private health companies would win contracts under government health reforms.

Trades union leaders – representing teachers, bus drivers and public sector workers – called for campaigners to read NHS founding father Nye Bevan’s book In Place of Fear.

For more information about the campaign, contact www.dwhc.org