Save Our Hospitals: Updates as demonstrations and rally held to oppose NHS cuts at Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals

Petition to 'Save Our Hospitals'

This weekend there has been a wave of protests against the proposed NHS cuts.

A ‘Save Our Hospitals’ petition has been created by Ealing Council and Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

NHS proposed plans include the loss of 500 hospital beds across north-west London and getting rid of vital blue-light A&E services in a move to downsize Ealing Hospital in Southall and Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith to “local” hospitals.

Read more on the story here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/ealing-charing-cross-hospitals-nhs-13461621

Sign the Save Our Hospitals Petition

Words of support

The Big Bike Ride has received immense support from nurses, hospital staff and local residents.

Here is what some people had to say about the NHS plans to close down A&E departments.

A&E Staff Nurse and RCN member Cathy Buxton, 25 years a nurse at Ealing Hospital, said:

I speak for all A&E staff at Ealing Hospital, we support the Big Bike Ride.

We are unanimous, we must not be closed. We are vital to the community.

They are not taking accessibility into consideration.”

And...

Michael Dwyer, A&E Porter and GMB member, added:

We’ve seen Maternity and Paediatrics close. If we lose A&E that will be the end.

A&E is vital, it’s needed. We support the Big Bike Ride.”

Fear over A&E closures

The bike ride protest is expected to set off at 11am from Ealing Hospital.

At least 100 cyclists are expected to take part on the route to Charing Cross Hospital.

Residents fear both A&E closures planned for the sites will be disastrous for the communities in Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Organiser of the bike ride Tony McEvoy, said:

These are heavily populated areas and local people will not survive travelling long distances such as St Mary’s at Paddington for health care.

We think they are planning to close the A&E any time now, it was made clear in their Sustainability and Transformation Plans materials that they intend to close it anytime soon.”

Bike ride protest

More than 100 people are expected to take to the streets on bikes as the protest against NHS cuts at west London hospitals continues.

On Saturday (September 30) hundreds marched to Ealing Common where a rally was held opposing the closure of vital A&E services at Ealing Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital.

On Sunday (October 1) the fight to ‘Save Our Hospitals’ continues as residents cycle from Ealing Hospital to Charing Cross Hospital to raise awareness of NHS proposals.

Read more on the story here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/a-battle-need-win-more-13669897

Chants of 'defend Ealing, defend Charing Cross'

Footage from the march shows protesters chanting as they made their way to Ealing Common for a rally against NHS cuts

Read our full story here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/protesters-chant-defend-ealing-defend-13698690

Photo from the rally

Hundreds assembled in Ealing Common for the rally against NHS cuts.

It followed two marches from Southall Park and Acton Park as residents opposed threat to health services at Ealing Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital.

Here is an image from the rally.

Sign the petition

A petition has been launched for Ealing Hospital and people can still sign it.

It is available here: Sohpetition

Ealing Common rally under way

The rally is under way as both marches make their voices heard in Ealing Common.

Speakers will include the Leaders of Hammersmith & Fulham and Ealing Councils, local campaigners and local MPs.

Residents have gathered to show their opposition to NHS plans to cut critical health services at Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals.

Rally to begin soon in Ealing Common

Marches from Southall arrived moments ago.

The group from Acton Park led by MP Andy Slaughter and MP Rupa Huq are close by.

This can only mean the rally will begin soon.

Images from the two marches

Here are a selection of photos from the double march against NHS cuts.

A huge crowds is expected to gather in Ealing Common for the Save Our Hospital’s rally.

The photos were taken by Ealing Council.

Dr Onkar Sahota's speech at Southall Park

Here is footage from Southall Park earlier today as Dr Onkar Sahota rallied the troops before setting off on their march through the borough.

March from Acton Park under way

The troops have set off from Acton Park and will pass along The Vale and Acton High Street as they make their way to Ealing Common.

Here they will meet protesters who set off in the march from Southall Park.

A rally will be held with council leaders and MPs in the fight to stop more NHS cuts.

More footage from Southall Park

Here is some more footage from Southall Park ahead of the march.

The march in now en-route and passing through Hanwell.

A rally will be held as protesters from both marches descend on Ealing Common.

March reaches Hanwell

Their voices are passing through the streets of Hanwell.

As the first march makes it way to Ealing Common for a rally at 1pm, here are some images posted on Twitter.

Here’s one from Ealing Council:

And more pics posted by councillor Lynne Murray:

And they're off

The march from Southall Park is under way.

Images show a sea of protesters take to the streets making their voices heard in the fight against NHS hospital cuts at both Ealing Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital.

‘Save Our Hospital’ banners and placards lead the protest.

Acton Park crowds gather

Looks like things are starting up at Acton Park now too.

MP for Ealing Central and Acton Rupa Huq takes the lead here.

Video from the scene

Here is footage from the start of the march in Southall Park.

Banners and placards to ‘save our hospitals’ are flying high as residents prepare to set off on the march.

The route will travel past Ealing Hospital, through Hanwell, and along New Broadway and descend on Ealing Common.

March from Southall Park

The sun is out over west London and people have been gathering at Southall Park for the march.

Here is an image from the scene:

Bike ride protest

While residents gather to take part in the marches and rally today, campaigners have organised a bike ride protest on Sunday.

It will see more than 100 cyclists take part against the proposed changes to services at Ealing Hospital.

We have more on this story here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/a-battle-need-win-more-13669897

MP for Hammersmith Andy Slaughter

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter is on his way to join residents in a march against NHS cuts to local hospital services.

Both boroughs have already been hit by NHS cuts which has seen maternity and paediatric services at Ealing closed, while the A&E at Hammersmith Hospital was ended in 2015.

Mr Slaughter is urging people to make their voices heard today.

Demonstrations against hospital cuts

The day has arrived as hundreds are moments away from taking to the streets in protest against NHS cuts to vital health services at two major west London hospitals.

The first march starts will get under way from Southall Park at 11am followed by a second from Acton Park at 11.30am.

Both will meet at Ealing Common for a rally at 1pm.

There is widespread opposition to the plans for Ealing Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital.

For more read the full story here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/we-wont-accept-second-rate-13694649