Leader’s
Notes
“I urge you to sign the
hospital petition today.”
Councillor Julian Bell
Leader of the council
At a recent meeting of the
full council, there was
overwhelming support for a motion
to prevent harassment and
intimidation outside the Marie
Stopes women’s health clinic in
Mattock Lane, Ealing.
Our campaign against the NHS plans to close essential hospital services in
the borough and across north-west London has continued unabated. Since I
wrote my last Leader’s Notes:
Save Our Hospitals public rally and marches I was encouraging you to take
part in have been held
n
The
n
Experts
have criticised and questioned the NHS plans
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Results
of an independent public survey came out strongly against the NHS
changes – and at the lack of public consultation
many of you have signed the petition at www.sohpetition.co.uk – if you
have not signed yet, I urge you to do so today. We will be taking the petition to
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP in the new year.
n
And
I have also written a letter to Mr Hunt about the NHS plans. The letter was sent
jointly with the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, Steve Cowan.
In it, we set out details of all of the above, and explained how the survey showed
a very clear picture not only of broad public opposition to the proposal but also of
residents who have been woefully under-consulted.
We concluded by urging Mr Hunt to: “Consider very carefully the results of this
survey and the clear failure of the NHS locally to consult and engage on their
proposals as you have required them to do. It is surely only appropriate to ask that
local NHS decision makers go back to the drawing board...”
I, like many, have found it deeply
disturbing that women have been
harassed while seeking health care
they are legally entitled to and we
are determined to find a resolution.
Council officers have been carrying
out an investigation to gather
evidence to allow for all options
to be considered.
The council will always stand up for
the rights of local residents to access
their healthcare options free from
intimidation and bullying behaviour.
It is Small Business Saturday
on 2 December, when the
whole country will be encouraged
to do their shopping locally. This
time of year is critical to many local
businesses and I will certainly be
buying Christmas gifts as close to
home as possible because it is so
important that we support our
towns and local economy. Visit
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features/
Christmas2017 for more.
I wish you all a happy Christmas and
best wishes for the new year.
The fight goes on. Please help by signing the petition at www.sohpetition.co.uk
and read more on pages 8-9 of this magazine.
around ealing December 2017
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