Dear Sir/Madam Thank you again for signing the petition to save Lewisham Hospital’s A&E and maternity department, which I presented to No. 10 just before Christmas. Over 35,000 people have now signed the petition, and together we are sending a loud and clear message that we strongly oppose the plans for closure. Despite this, we learnt this week that the Special Administrator appointed to the South London Healthcare Trust has formally recommended to Government that both A&E and maternity services at Lewisham should close. He proposes to replace them with an urgent care centre and a midwife-led birthing unit. Many people – including me - feel badly let down by the so-called consultation process that has taken place. It is sheer madness to be shutting down services at a solvent, successful hospital in order to deal with financial problems elsewhere. I am also extremely concerned about the inadequate services that will be left for South East London - just this week the two closest maternity units, at Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich and Kings, had to turn away pregnant women in labour as they were at capacity. But this is not a done deal, and together we must keep up the fight. The Health Secretary is currently considering these proposals, and will be announcing his decision on 1st February. Along with my parliamentary colleagues Dame Joan Ruddock and Jim Dowd, I will be doing all that I can to convince the Health Secretary of the case against these proposals. But we need your help. Between now and 1st February, please do all that you can to help the campaign. If you have 5 minutes or 5 days, there are lots of ways you can get involved. At the bottom of this email, there are specific contacts and things you can do to help – for example, leafleting, making placards or being a steward at campaign events. If you can only spare a little time, please do the following: 1. Protest against the proposals. The Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign have organised a second peaceful demonstration on Saturday 26th January. Assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12, before we march past the hospital to Mountsfield Park for a rally, music and giant petition. I will be speaking at the rally.
2. Let the Secretary of State know what you think by sending your views directly to him. Email Jeremy Hunt on mb-sofs@dh.gsi.gov.uk or write to him at Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, Department for Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS
3. Forward this email on to your friends. Spread the word about the campaign! This does not only affect the people of Lewisham, and Mr Hunt needs to know that people across South East London are not prepared to accept these recommendations and have their services and their safety compromised.
The campaign to Save Lewisham Hospital is far from over. We must be prepared to step up and make our voices heard. I hope we can count upon your support. Best wishes Heidi Alexander MP Labour MP for Lewisham East www.heidialexander.org.uk twitter: @heidi_mp ******************************* WE NEED TO MARCH AGAIN! Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign update from Dr Louise Irvine (Campaign Chair) www.savelewishamhospital.com
We have organised another demonstration on Saturday 26th January. The TSA Matthew Kershaw handed in his report to Jeremy Hunt which shows that he has not listened at all to the views of Lewisham people, local GPs, hospital doctors and health workers, the Council and Churches. The decision on the future of Lewisham A&E and maternity is due at the start of February. We must keep up the pressure.
10,000 people marched through Lewisham on 24th November 2012 – young, elderly, families and people from every background. WE NEED A HUGE TURNOUT. We need to GET YOU AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW to come and march with us on Saturday 26th January:
The demo will assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12 noon on Saturday 26th January. We will march past our hospital to Mountsfield Park where there will be a rally, music and a giant petition. You can see further information and download the leaflet from http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/demonstration-26th-january/
We need a lot of help in the build up to the demo and on the day. See below for a list of ways you can get involved.
*STEWARDING We have an urgent need for people to volunteer as stewards for the demo– contact Helen at GrgHallam@aol.com
* SHOPPING CENTRE STALLS AND LEAFLETING – contact Barbara at Barbara_veale@hotmail.co.uk Saturday 12th January and Saturday 19th January: Lewisham Riverdale Centre, main entrance 10am – 4pm Catford Shopping Centre (under the cat) 11am – 3 pm Deptford High St 10am onwards
* BIG RED BUS – this is going round LEWISHAM AND SOUTH LONDON BOROUGHS we need people to travel on the bus and give out leaflets etc. If you want to help on the bus meet at 9:30am Saturday 12 January or Saturday 19 January Elmira Street, Cornmill Gardens by the old Lewisham Bridge School.
* LEAFLETING AT FOOTBALL MATCHES - contact Pat at pat.sikorski@yahoo.co.uk This Saturday 12th help leaflet Charlton Football Match, The Valley Club, meet outside club shop, Floyd Rd, SE7 8BL at 1.30pm. (next week, Saturday 19th Millwall– details available from Pat)
* IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAFLET YOUR STREET – contact Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk Leaflets for you to distribute locally on your street, schools, and localities can be collected from the The Saville Day Centre (the pensioners forum office), 436 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LJ
* ASK YOUR GP PRACTICE to take fliers and posters – contact Louise at louise.irvine@runbox.com * MAKING PLACARDS – contact Carolyn at c.emanuel@hotmail.co.uk * HELPING WITH THE RALLY/EVENT after the march – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com and Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk
COMMUNITY CONTACTS If you have contacts with specific groups in the community please contact the following people * PENSIONERS – contact Tamsin at lpforum@btconnect.com * SCHOOLS – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com * CHURCHES – contact Gillian at gillianlewis@ntlworld.com
OR you can email us directly at savelewishamhospital@yahoo.com or fill out the form on our ‘How you can help’ page
We look forward to seeing you on 26th January but hopefully before.
* JOIN the Facebook event – INVITE your friends and SHARE the event page! And ‘like’ the official campaign Facebook * Tweet about the event - Come to the@SaveLewishamAE Demo through Lewisham and Catford on Saturday 26th January! http://on.fb.me/Z4jpRI #LewishamDemo26Jan * If write your own blog or any other ways you can help promote the Demo or the campaign, please get in touch.
Dear Sir/Madam Thank you again for signing the petition to save Lewisham Hospital’s A&E and maternity department, which I presented to No. 10 just before Christmas. Over 35,000 people have now signed the petition, and together we are sending a loud and clear message that we strongly oppose the plans for closure. Despite this, we learnt this week that the Special Administrator appointed to the South London Healthcare Trust has formally recommended to Government that both A&E and maternity services at Lewisham should close. He proposes to replace them with an urgent care centre and a midwife-led birthing unit. Many people – including me - feel badly let down by the so-called consultation process that has taken place. It is sheer madness to be shutting down services at a solvent, successful hospital in order to deal with financial problems elsewhere. I am also extremely concerned about the inadequate services that will be left for South East London - just this week the two closest maternity units, at Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich and Kings, had to turn away pregnant women in labour as they were at capacity. But this is not a done deal, and together we must keep up the fight. The Health Secretary is currently considering these proposals, and will be announcing his decision on 1st February. Along with my parliamentary colleagues Dame Joan Ruddock and Jim Dowd, I will be doing all that I can to convince the Health Secretary of the case against these proposals. But we need your help. Between now and 1st February, please do all that you can to help the campaign. If you have 5 minutes or 5 days, there are lots of ways you can get involved. At the bottom of this email, there are specific contacts and things you can do to help – for example, leafleting, making placards or being a steward at campaign events. If you can only spare a little time, please do the following: 1. Protest against the proposals. The Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign have organised a second peaceful demonstration on Saturday 26th January. Assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12, before we march past the hospital to Mountsfield Park for a rally, music and giant petition. I will be speaking at the rally.
2. Let the Secretary of State know what you think by sending your views directly to him. Email Jeremy Hunt on mb-sofs@dh.gsi.gov.uk or write to him at Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, Department for Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS
3. Forward this email on to your friends. Spread the word about the campaign! This does not only affect the people of Lewisham, and Mr Hunt needs to know that people across South East London are not prepared to accept these recommendations and have their services and their safety compromised.
The campaign to Save Lewisham Hospital is far from over. We must be prepared to step up and make our voices heard. I hope we can count upon your support. Best wishes Heidi Alexander MP Labour MP for Lewisham East www.heidialexander.org.uk twitter: @heidi_mp ******************************* WE NEED TO MARCH AGAIN! Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign update from Dr Louise Irvine (Campaign Chair) www.savelewishamhospital.com
We have organised another demonstration on Saturday 26th January. The TSA Matthew Kershaw handed in his report to Jeremy Hunt which shows that he has not listened at all to the views of Lewisham people, local GPs, hospital doctors and health workers, the Council and Churches. The decision on the future of Lewisham A&E and maternity is due at the start of February. We must keep up the pressure.
10,000 people marched through Lewisham on 24th November 2012 – young, elderly, families and people from every background. WE NEED A HUGE TURNOUT. We need to GET YOU AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW to come and march with us on Saturday 26th January:
The demo will assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12 noon on Saturday 26th January. We will march past our hospital to Mountsfield Park where there will be a rally, music and a giant petition. You can see further information and download the leaflet from http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/demonstration-26th-january/
We need a lot of help in the build up to the demo and on the day. See below for a list of ways you can get involved.
*STEWARDING We have an urgent need for people to volunteer as stewards for the demo– contact Helen at GrgHallam@aol.com
* SHOPPING CENTRE STALLS AND LEAFLETING – contact Barbara at Barbara_veale@hotmail.co.uk Saturday 12th January and Saturday 19th January: Lewisham Riverdale Centre, main entrance 10am – 4pm Catford Shopping Centre (under the cat) 11am – 3 pm Deptford High St 10am onwards
* BIG RED BUS – this is going round LEWISHAM AND SOUTH LONDON BOROUGHS we need people to travel on the bus and give out leaflets etc. If you want to help on the bus meet at 9:30am Saturday 12 January or Saturday 19 January Elmira Street, Cornmill Gardens by the old Lewisham Bridge School.
* LEAFLETING AT FOOTBALL MATCHES - contact Pat at pat.sikorski@yahoo.co.uk This Saturday 12th help leaflet Charlton Football Match, The Valley Club, meet outside club shop, Floyd Rd, SE7 8BL at 1.30pm. (next week, Saturday 19th Millwall– details available from Pat)
* IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAFLET YOUR STREET – contact Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk Leaflets for you to distribute locally on your street, schools, and localities can be collected from the The Saville Day Centre (the pensioners forum office), 436 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LJ
* ASK YOUR GP PRACTICE to take fliers and posters – contact Louise at louise.irvine@runbox.com * MAKING PLACARDS – contact Carolyn at c.emanuel@hotmail.co.uk * HELPING WITH THE RALLY/EVENT after the march – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com and Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk
COMMUNITY CONTACTS If you have contacts with specific groups in the community please contact the following people * PENSIONERS – contact Tamsin at lpforum@btconnect.com * SCHOOLS – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com * CHURCHES – contact Gillian at gillianlewis@ntlworld.com
OR you can email us directly at savelewishamhospital@yahoo.com or fill out the form on our ‘How you can help’ page
We look forward to seeing you on 26th January but hopefully before.
* JOIN the Facebook event – INVITE your friends and SHARE the event page! And ‘like’ the official campaign Facebook * Tweet about the event - Come to the@SaveLewishamAE Demo through Lewisham and Catford on Saturday 26th January! http://on.fb.me/Z4jpRI #LewishamDemo26Jan * If write your own blog or any other ways you can help promote the Demo or the campaign, please get in touch.
Absolute f***ing criminals! The scumbags who got us into this mess are just continuing to make it worse. No doubt they're all getting backhanders from consultants, private healthcare companies and those benefitting from PFI contracts. Total f***ing scum......
Getting out of the PFI mess is simple. Just renationalise everything, and tell the companies ripping off the taxpayer to fuck off. Job done. I'm deadly serious here. Fuck the lawyers - government needs to get spiteful with this shit. What could they realistically do if Cameron just turned round one day and said "nope - sorry. You fucked this up - you had your hand in the pocket for too long. Do one". Answer: nothing.
What are they actually going to do about it all? Nothing - because every political party, of every flavour, is run by business.
Does anyone really think, for one second, that this decision has been taken for any obvious reason based on 'balancing the books'? Of course it hasn't - some fucker somewhere in the background stands to make a dumpload more money somewhere off the back of the taxpayer. Wouldn't put it past some chancing toerag to be using this a massive smokescreen, knowing that there'll be a huge public outcry over it so that when the decisions they actually intended to take all along (i.e. cuts elsewhere in the trust) get made after the government intervenes, it makes it look more palatable to people, and as if they've scored a 'victory'. Disingenuous arseholes.
And yes, I'm aware that nationalised industries have their own problems. Whatever they are, they can't possibly be as bad as this.
Getting out of the PFI mess is simple. Just renationalise everything, and tell the companies ripping off the taxpayer to fuck off. Job done. I'm deadly serious here. Fuck the lawyers - government needs to get spiteful with this shit. What could they realistically do if Cameron just turned round one day and said "nope - sorry. You fucked this up - you had your hand in the pocket for too long. Do one". Answer: nothing.
What are they actually going to do about it all? Nothing - because every political party, of every flavour, is run by business.
Does anyone really think, for one second, that this decision has been taken for any obvious reason based on 'balancing the books'? Of course it hasn't - some fucker somewhere in the background stands to make a dumpload more money somewhere off the back of the taxpayer. Wouldn't put it past some chancing toerag to be using this a massive smokescreen, knowing that there'll be a huge public outcry over it so that when the decisions they actually intended to take all along (i.e. cuts elsewhere in the trust) get made after the government intervenes, it makes it look more palatable to people, and as if they've scored a 'victory'. Disingenuous arseholes.
And yes, I'm aware that nationalised industries have their own problems. Whatever they are, they can't possibly be as bad as this.
I think this is broadly called the "Hugo Chavez" approach to government-industry relations!
This is pretty much what he did when he re-nationalised their oil industry.
Anyone on here blaming Labour or the Tories need to realise that they are basically the same bastards.
Blairs Labour was not the Labour party but a watered down load of shit to get in power that embraced tory ideology - third way my arse.
the TRUE Labourt party set the NHS up. And if blame lies anywhere for any of it its that old bitch that will soon die. Privatise everything and then leave it to "the market" which means greed is good and I'm alright jack.
100% true. All thieving, scheming bastards. No such thing as socialism any more, and hasn't been for decades. The game's been up for a long time. Free market capitalism won. Enjoy the rewards of it. Like celebrity culture, piles of useless gadgets and shut fame-obsessed music to keep the generations nice and compliant.
I wan't to do the first hour or so if I can, and then get to the Valley. Trains from Lewisham through Blackheath to Charlton can be, errr, eccentric on a Saturday. I wonder if there is any danger the game will not happen because of the snow.
Politicians from both major parties are responsible for the PFI fiasco which has basically amounted to the NHS borrowing money at the type of rates Wonga might change. There are so many incompetent fools involved and the proposed solutions are laughable.
We are run by idiots who don't give a f*** and are gutless. Tear up the contracts .....
This.
Good to see the leafleting outside the ground yesterday.
Regarding the PFI contracts. Also look at the maintainence rates. Renegotiate the cost to competive rates / or expose the companies for profitering.
Agree with both of these. From what I have read, the contracts are watertight though. These private finance companies have tied the Trusts up for years to come with the various maintainence and service contracts tied into the original deals.
The Government (whichever one is in power over the next 30 years) must use its' huge bargaining/purchasing power for all NHS requirements. PFI is going to cost us £250BN over the next 30 years and even a 5% reduction in costs will free up £1.5BN to relieve some of the pressure the Trusts are under.
The whole PFI contracts are a disgrace. It should be made clear which companies are making massive profits from them.
I was talking to my GP, who is heavily involved in the contract for his surgery and he said that in his opinion, that we should be looking at the provisions of the original NHS Act and nationalise the the PFI contracts.
Did any one see the ITV London news last night, where one of the Millwall directors stated that they had moved their FA Cup game against Villa to Friday night so as not to clash with the Lewisham Hospital march. Their players were also wearing SAVE LEWISHAM A&E tee shirts.
All those who would like to march with the Sydenham Society on this Saturday's demonstration against the proposed A&E and maternity closures at Lewisham Hospital are invited to meet at Lower Sydenham station, at 11.15am to catch the 11.23am train towards Lewisham. According to this week's News Shopper, there are four reasons to take part: Lewisham Hospital was not even part of the health trust which went bust, but is paying the price The consultation last year made no mention of selling off around half the hospital's land Lewisham would be left with one midwife-led maternity unit, despite having a rising birth rate Winter has already seen pressure put on A&Es across the area. What will happen if another A&E unit closes? There is still time to write to Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health. The campaigning organisation 38 Degrees has provided the following information: Lewisham Hospital is in danger. Right now, Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is considering closing the A&E department, leaving 750,000 people with just one casualty department between them. [1]
Lewisham Hospital is a well-performing hospital, and the casualty department has just had an expensive refurbishment. Patients, doctors and even some of Lewisham's health chiefs are all opposed to the closure. [2]
Jeremy Hunt could give in to the political pressure to close these NHS services. But together, we can make this a test for Hunt. If we email him to oppose the plans, he'll be under huge pressure to prove he listens to patients and keep services open.
Could you send a quick email now telling Jeremy Hunt not to close vital NHS services in South London? It only takes two minutes:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/nhs-lewisham Already the people of Lewisham and the surrounding area have taken to the streets in their thousands to save their A&E, intensive care and maternity units. We could increase the pressure on Jeremy Hunt if thousands of us email him directly. We can make him think twice about overruling patients, doctors and local health chiefs.
We all rely on NHS services to be there to help us when we're most in need. If these hospital services close, patients will have to travel further and queue longer. Other nearby hospitals are already over-stretched - just recently ambulances have been diverted to Lewisham hospital to pick up patients. [3]
Click here to send a quick email now:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/nhs-lewisham Last week we had a brilliant NHS breakthrough. Monitor, the NHS competition watchdog, listened to public pressure not to let private healthcare companies avoid corporation tax. [4]
This happened after tens of thousands of 38 Degrees members emailed them to object to the proposed tax breaks. Now we can do the same with Jeremy Hunt. Please write your email here:
Student Feeder Block for Save Lewisham A&E Hospital March Saturday 26th January 2013 @ 11:00 Non Ticketed Event Assemble from 11am outside Richard Hoggart Building (to leave at 11.30) In spite of 96% opposition from local residents, South London Health Trust has proposed the closure of Lewisham Hospital A&E, in response to unpaid Private Finance Initiative (PFI) debts that the hospital managers –not patients- are responsible for creating. This will have a massive impact on students who live, work and study in south London and the wider community. If the proposals are agreed by Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt then they will be a prelude to more general attacks on the NHS across the country. Goldsmiths Students Union in conjunction with the Save Lewisham A&E campaign have called for a student feeder bloc for Saturdays march. Please join us as we stand alongside the local community.
Comments
Received this by e-mail
Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you again for signing the petition to save Lewisham Hospital’s A&E and maternity department, which I presented to No. 10 just before Christmas. Over 35,000 people have now signed the petition, and together we are sending a loud and clear message that we strongly oppose the plans for closure.
Despite this, we learnt this week that the Special Administrator appointed to the South London Healthcare Trust has formally recommended to Government that both A&E and maternity services at Lewisham should close. He proposes to replace them with an urgent care centre and a midwife-led birthing unit.
Many people – including me - feel badly let down by the so-called consultation process that has taken place. It is sheer madness to be shutting down services at a solvent, successful hospital in order to deal with financial problems elsewhere. I am also extremely concerned about the inadequate services that will be left for South East London - just this week the two closest maternity units, at Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich and Kings, had to turn away pregnant women in labour as they were at capacity.
But this is not a done deal, and together we must keep up the fight.
The Health Secretary is currently considering these proposals, and will be announcing his decision on 1st February. Along with my parliamentary colleagues Dame Joan Ruddock and Jim Dowd, I will be doing all that I can to convince the Health Secretary of the case against these proposals. But we need your help.
Between now and 1st February, please do all that you can to help the campaign. If you have 5 minutes or 5 days, there are lots of ways you can get involved. At the bottom of this email, there are specific contacts and things you can do to help – for example, leafleting, making placards or being a steward at campaign events.
If you can only spare a little time, please do the following:
1. Protest against the proposals. The Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign have organised a second peaceful demonstration on Saturday 26th January. Assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12, before we march past the hospital to Mountsfield Park for a rally, music and giant petition. I will be speaking at the rally.
2. Let the Secretary of State know what you think by sending your views directly to him. Email Jeremy Hunt on mb-sofs@dh.gsi.gov.uk or write to him at Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, Department for Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS
3. Forward this email on to your friends. Spread the word about the campaign! This does not only affect the people of Lewisham, and Mr Hunt needs to know that people across South East London are not prepared to accept these recommendations and have their services and their safety compromised.
The campaign to Save Lewisham Hospital is far from over. We must be prepared to step up and make our voices heard. I hope we can count upon your support.
Best wishes
Heidi Alexander MP
Labour MP for Lewisham East
www.heidialexander.org.uk
twitter: @heidi_mp
*******************************
WE NEED TO MARCH AGAIN!
Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign update from Dr Louise Irvine (Campaign Chair)
www.savelewishamhospital.com
We have organised another demonstration on Saturday 26th January. The TSA Matthew Kershaw handed in his report to Jeremy Hunt which shows that he has not listened at all to the views of Lewisham people, local GPs, hospital doctors and health workers, the Council and Churches.
The decision on the future of Lewisham A&E and maternity is due at the start of February. We must keep up the pressure.
10,000 people marched through Lewisham on 24th November 2012 – young, elderly, families and people from every background. WE NEED A HUGE TURNOUT. We need to GET YOU AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW to come and march with us on Saturday 26th January:
The demo will assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12 noon on Saturday 26th January. We will march past our hospital to Mountsfield Park where there will be a rally, music and a giant petition. You can see further information and download the leaflet from http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/demonstration-26th-january/
We need a lot of help in the build up to the demo and on the day. See below for a list of ways you can get involved.
*STEWARDING We have an urgent need for people to volunteer as stewards for the demo– contact Helen at GrgHallam@aol.com
* SHOPPING CENTRE STALLS AND LEAFLETING – contact Barbara at Barbara_veale@hotmail.co.uk
Saturday 12th January and Saturday 19th January:
Lewisham Riverdale Centre, main entrance 10am – 4pm
Catford Shopping Centre (under the cat) 11am – 3 pm
Deptford High St 10am onwards
* BIG RED BUS – this is going round LEWISHAM AND SOUTH LONDON BOROUGHS we need people to travel on the bus and give out leaflets etc. If you want to help on the bus meet at 9:30am Saturday 12 January or Saturday 19 January Elmira Street, Cornmill Gardens by the old Lewisham Bridge School.
* LEAFLETING AT FOOTBALL MATCHES - contact Pat at pat.sikorski@yahoo.co.uk
This Saturday 12th help leaflet Charlton Football Match, The Valley Club, meet outside club shop, Floyd Rd, SE7 8BL at 1.30pm. (next week, Saturday 19th Millwall– details available from Pat)
* IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAFLET YOUR STREET – contact Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk
Leaflets for you to distribute locally on your street, schools, and localities can be collected from the The Saville Day Centre (the pensioners forum office), 436 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LJ
* ASK YOUR GP PRACTICE to take fliers and posters – contact Louise at louise.irvine@runbox.com
* MAKING PLACARDS – contact Carolyn at c.emanuel@hotmail.co.uk
* HELPING WITH THE RALLY/EVENT after the march – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com and Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk
COMMUNITY CONTACTS
If you have contacts with specific groups in the community please contact the following people
* PENSIONERS – contact Tamsin at lpforum@btconnect.com
* SCHOOLS – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com
* CHURCHES – contact Gillian at gillianlewis@ntlworld.com
OR you can email us directly at savelewishamhospital@yahoo.com or fill out the form on our ‘How you can help’ page
We look forward to seeing you on 26th January but hopefully before.
* JOIN the Facebook event – INVITE your friends and SHARE the event page! And ‘like’ the official campaign Facebook
* Tweet about the event - Come to the@SaveLewishamAE Demo through Lewisham and Catford on Saturday 26th January! http://on.fb.me/Z4jpRI #LewishamDemo26Jan
* If write your own blog or any other ways you can help promote the Demo or the campaign, please get in touch.
________________________________________
Received this by e-mail
Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you again for signing the petition to save Lewisham Hospital’s A&E and maternity department, which I presented to No. 10 just before Christmas. Over 35,000 people have now signed the petition, and together we are sending a loud and clear message that we strongly oppose the plans for closure.
Despite this, we learnt this week that the Special Administrator appointed to the South London Healthcare Trust has formally recommended to Government that both A&E and maternity services at Lewisham should close. He proposes to replace them with an urgent care centre and a midwife-led birthing unit.
Many people – including me - feel badly let down by the so-called consultation process that has taken place. It is sheer madness to be shutting down services at a solvent, successful hospital in order to deal with financial problems elsewhere. I am also extremely concerned about the inadequate services that will be left for South East London - just this week the two closest maternity units, at Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich and Kings, had to turn away pregnant women in labour as they were at capacity.
But this is not a done deal, and together we must keep up the fight.
The Health Secretary is currently considering these proposals, and will be announcing his decision on 1st February. Along with my parliamentary colleagues Dame Joan Ruddock and Jim Dowd, I will be doing all that I can to convince the Health Secretary of the case against these proposals. But we need your help.
Between now and 1st February, please do all that you can to help the campaign. If you have 5 minutes or 5 days, there are lots of ways you can get involved. At the bottom of this email, there are specific contacts and things you can do to help – for example, leafleting, making placards or being a steward at campaign events.
If you can only spare a little time, please do the following:
1. Protest against the proposals. The Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign have organised a second peaceful demonstration on Saturday 26th January. Assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12, before we march past the hospital to Mountsfield Park for a rally, music and giant petition. I will be speaking at the rally.
2. Let the Secretary of State know what you think by sending your views directly to him. Email Jeremy Hunt on mb-sofs@dh.gsi.gov.uk or write to him at Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Health, Department for Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS
3. Forward this email on to your friends. Spread the word about the campaign! This does not only affect the people of Lewisham, and Mr Hunt needs to know that people across South East London are not prepared to accept these recommendations and have their services and their safety compromised.
The campaign to Save Lewisham Hospital is far from over. We must be prepared to step up and make our voices heard. I hope we can count upon your support.
Best wishes
Heidi Alexander MP
Labour MP for Lewisham East
www.heidialexander.org.uk
twitter: @heidi_mp
*******************************
WE NEED TO MARCH AGAIN!
Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign update from Dr Louise Irvine (Campaign Chair)
www.savelewishamhospital.com
We have organised another demonstration on Saturday 26th January. The TSA Matthew Kershaw handed in his report to Jeremy Hunt which shows that he has not listened at all to the views of Lewisham people, local GPs, hospital doctors and health workers, the Council and Churches.
The decision on the future of Lewisham A&E and maternity is due at the start of February. We must keep up the pressure.
10,000 people marched through Lewisham on 24th November 2012 – young, elderly, families and people from every background. WE NEED A HUGE TURNOUT. We need to GET YOU AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW to come and march with us on Saturday 26th January:
The demo will assemble at Lewisham Roundabout (by the station) at 12 noon on Saturday 26th January. We will march past our hospital to Mountsfield Park where there will be a rally, music and a giant petition. You can see further information and download the leaflet from http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/demonstration-26th-january/
We need a lot of help in the build up to the demo and on the day. See below for a list of ways you can get involved.
*STEWARDING We have an urgent need for people to volunteer as stewards for the demo– contact Helen at GrgHallam@aol.com
* SHOPPING CENTRE STALLS AND LEAFLETING – contact Barbara at Barbara_veale@hotmail.co.uk
Saturday 12th January and Saturday 19th January:
Lewisham Riverdale Centre, main entrance 10am – 4pm
Catford Shopping Centre (under the cat) 11am – 3 pm
Deptford High St 10am onwards
* BIG RED BUS – this is going round LEWISHAM AND SOUTH LONDON BOROUGHS we need people to travel on the bus and give out leaflets etc. If you want to help on the bus meet at 9:30am Saturday 12 January or Saturday 19 January Elmira Street, Cornmill Gardens by the old Lewisham Bridge School.
* LEAFLETING AT FOOTBALL MATCHES - contact Pat at pat.sikorski@yahoo.co.uk
This Saturday 12th help leaflet Charlton Football Match, The Valley Club, meet outside club shop, Floyd Rd, SE7 8BL at 1.30pm. (next week, Saturday 19th Millwall– details available from Pat)
* IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAFLET YOUR STREET – contact Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk
Leaflets for you to distribute locally on your street, schools, and localities can be collected from the The Saville Day Centre (the pensioners forum office), 436 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LJ
* ASK YOUR GP PRACTICE to take fliers and posters – contact Louise at louise.irvine@runbox.com
* MAKING PLACARDS – contact Carolyn at c.emanuel@hotmail.co.uk
* HELPING WITH THE RALLY/EVENT after the march – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com and Simone at bluelibran@hotmail.co.uk
COMMUNITY CONTACTS
If you have contacts with specific groups in the community please contact the following people
* PENSIONERS – contact Tamsin at lpforum@btconnect.com
* SCHOOLS – contact Jill at jillmountford@rocketmail.com
* CHURCHES – contact Gillian at gillianlewis@ntlworld.com
OR you can email us directly at savelewishamhospital@yahoo.com or fill out the form on our ‘How you can help’ page
We look forward to seeing you on 26th January but hopefully before.
* JOIN the Facebook event – INVITE your friends and SHARE the event page! And ‘like’ the official campaign Facebook
* Tweet about the event - Come to the@SaveLewishamAE Demo through Lewisham and Catford on Saturday 26th January! http://on.fb.me/Z4jpRI #LewishamDemo26Jan
* If write your own blog or any other ways you can help promote the Demo or the campaign, please get in touch.
________________________________________
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10145446.Lewisham_Hospital_and_South_London_Healthcare_Trust_final_proposals_revealed___update/
http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10145446.Lewisham_Hospital_and_South_London_Healthcare_Trust_final_proposals_revealed___update/
I'm still going on the march before the game on the 26th. starts at 12 i heard. couple of hours then head to the valley.
Total f***ing scum......
What are they actually going to do about it all? Nothing - because every political party, of every flavour, is run by business.
Does anyone really think, for one second, that this decision has been taken for any obvious reason based on 'balancing the books'? Of course it hasn't - some fucker somewhere in the background stands to make a dumpload more money somewhere off the back of the taxpayer. Wouldn't put it past some chancing toerag to be using this a massive smokescreen, knowing that there'll be a huge public outcry over it so that when the decisions they actually intended to take all along (i.e. cuts elsewhere in the trust) get made after the government intervenes, it makes it look more palatable to people, and as if they've scored a 'victory'. Disingenuous arseholes.
And yes, I'm aware that nationalised industries have their own problems. Whatever they are, they can't possibly be as bad as this.
This is pretty much what he did when he re-nationalised their oil industry.
Blairs Labour was not the Labour party but a watered down load of shit to get in power that embraced tory ideology - third way my arse.
the TRUE Labourt party set the NHS up. And if blame lies anywhere for any of it its that old bitch that will soon die. Privatise everything and then leave it to "the market" which means greed is good and I'm alright jack.
@CAFCofficial Any chance Charlton players could wear @SaveLewishamAE t-shirts for their warm on Sat? #cafc #savelewishamhospital
;o)
I was talking to my GP, who is heavily involved in the contract for his surgery and he said that in his opinion, that we should be looking at the provisions of the original NHS Act and nationalise the the PFI contracts.
Sydenham Society
11:30 AM (20 hours ago)
to Annabel, bcc: me
Dear Members,
Save Lewisham Hospital!
All those who would like to march with the Sydenham Society on this Saturday's demonstration against the proposed A&E and maternity closures at Lewisham Hospital are invited to meet at Lower Sydenham station, at 11.15am to catch the 11.23am train towards Lewisham. According to this week's News Shopper, there are four reasons to take part:
Lewisham Hospital was not even part of the health trust which went bust, but is paying the price
The consultation last year made no mention of selling off around half the hospital's land
Lewisham would be left with one midwife-led maternity unit, despite having a rising birth rate
Winter has already seen pressure put on A&Es across the area. What will happen if another A&E unit closes?
There is still time to write to Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health. The campaigning organisation 38 Degrees has provided the following information:
Lewisham Hospital is in danger. Right now, Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is considering closing the A&E department, leaving 750,000 people with just one casualty department between them. [1]
Lewisham Hospital is a well-performing hospital, and the casualty department has just had an expensive refurbishment. Patients, doctors and even some of Lewisham's health chiefs are all opposed to the closure. [2]
Jeremy Hunt could give in to the political pressure to close these NHS services. But together, we can make this a test for Hunt. If we email him to oppose the plans, he'll be under huge pressure to prove he listens to patients and keep services open.
Could you send a quick email now telling Jeremy Hunt not to close vital NHS services in South London? It only takes two minutes:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/nhs-lewisham
Already the people of Lewisham and the surrounding area have taken to the streets in their thousands to save their A&E, intensive care and maternity units. We could increase the pressure on Jeremy Hunt if thousands of us email him directly. We can make him think twice about overruling patients, doctors and local health chiefs.
We all rely on NHS services to be there to help us when we're most in need. If these hospital services close, patients will have to travel further and queue longer. Other nearby hospitals are already over-stretched - just recently ambulances have been diverted to Lewisham hospital to pick up patients. [3]
Click here to send a quick email now:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/nhs-lewisham
Last week we had a brilliant NHS breakthrough. Monitor, the NHS competition watchdog, listened to public pressure not to let private healthcare companies avoid corporation tax. [4]
This happened after tens of thousands of 38 Degrees members emailed them to object to the proposed tax breaks. Now we can do the same with Jeremy Hunt. Please write your email here:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/nhs-lewisham
NOTES
[1] Guardian: Lewisham hospital's fury at £195m bill for A&E closure http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/13/lewisham-hospital-fury-bill-closure
[2] London 24: Lewisham A&E closure proposals 'unsafe, rushed and unjust' http://www.london24.com/news/health/lewisham_a_e_closure_proposals_unsafe_rushed_and_unjust_1_1785896
Pulse: Lewisham A&E set to close despite CCG opposition http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/commissioning-news/lewisham-ae-set-to-close-despite-ccg-opposition/20001403.article#.UP03GCc02tw
[3] Evening Standard: Hospitals set to handle thousands of extra births 'cannot cope now' http://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/hospitals-set-to-handle-thousands-of-extra-births-cannot-cope-now-8444002.html
[4] 38 Degrees Blog: Update: Breakthrough http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/01/16/update-breakthrough/
[5] Save Lewisham Hospital: Demonstration - 26th January http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/demonstration-26th-january/