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nospita Pickets at Bethnal Green Hospital have thwarted several attempts made by management over the past weeks to begin running down the hospital into a small geriatric unit.

Earlier in the occupation, the delivery of special geriatric beds to the hospital was prevented by pickets, and during last week a building contractor was stopped from beginning structural alterations to the surgical wards.

Also, in the casualty department, which has been occupied since July 1, the administration cut off the telephones, but these were reconnected immediately following pressure from the hospital stewards.

The occupation is now at a crucial stage in maintaining Bethnal Green as a full general hospital.

Equipped

Although the authorities have succeeded in stopping the casualty and operating theatres from being used, these departments are still fully equipped and could be reopened at any time.

Also, the surgical wards, which are now empty, are being guarded by the occupation and all attempts at conversion of the wards into geriatric wards-such as those mentioned above-are being strongly resisted by the pickets.

It is of central importance that the surgical beds are kept for surgical patients alone, otherwise the fight to reopen the theatres will be severely weakened.

It is vital that this fight is maintained and supported. Resof olutions must be passed through union branches-particularly Hospital branches, to pledge support on the picket line.

Also the lead must be given by Bethnal Green stewards in calling for London-wide strike action in the health service against any further moves to run down the hospital, and for the re-opening of the casualty and theatres.

PHOTO: Chris Davies, Report Cuts minister Ennals The running down of Bethnal Green by the authorities is part of a general plan of savage cuts in the London health service both in this part of East London-where the casualty department at the Sanderson, is obviously cast in the most reactionary mould.

Apart from the Forklift factory he is a major landowner in the area, an agent for Toyota forklifts and Crown pallett trucks and lives in a brand new fourteen bedroomed house with an airstrip behind it.

After initially cooperating with ACAS and allowing them nearby Mile End hospital is next on the list for closure-and throughout all areas of London.

Long term plan In last week's Socialist Press there was an outline of the longer term plans to close St. Mary's Hospital, Harrow Rd., London-another large general hospital with accident and emergency facilities.

This vicious and wellplanned series of attacks can only be fought on a Londonwide basis.

The Workers Socialist League has worked consistently to build an all-London joint shop stewards committee in the health service which can coordinate the fight against hospital closures.

London-wide strike A strong all-London committee would be in the position to organise London-wide strike action amongst health workers in defence of threatened hospitals, whilst at the same time leading a fierce campaign to force the trade union leadership to give their full backing to this action on a material level.

It is only action and organisation of this sort which will re-open the casualty and theatres at Bethnal Green and provide a strong lead in the fight against hospital closures and the cuts in the health service.

CH

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