Bromsgrove meeting opposes A&E closure

On Friday 7 September, 150 people attended a meeting in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, organised by the ‘Save the Alex’ campaign which is defending the Alexandra hospital in nearby Redditch.

52,000 people have signed the Save the Alex petition, and 1,000 have marched in Redditch.

Speakers included Bromsgrove Tory MP Sajid Javid, who told us spending on the NHS was increasing in real terms, while a NHS Worcestershire document says “funding available for healthcare will remain largely static over the next three years”.

Javid said he opposed plans to close the A&E department at Redditch and stated he was not convinced by the overall proposals. Maybe he said this with conviction or more likely because he sees a career change coming in a few years if he didn’t!

Socialist Party and PCS union executive member Kevin Greenway pointed out that one way the money needed could be found was from a crackdown on tax avoidance and evasion by the rich.

But Javid thought this would only be temporary as the rich would leave the country. So, just as the banks were too big to fail, it seems the rich are too rich to tax!

Pete McNally, Worcester Socialist Party

London NHS protests:

Saturday 15 September

South London

1pm, General Gordon Square, Greens End, Woolwich

Central Middlesex

Re-open our A&E with full 24-hour service

Assemble 12 noon at Harlesden Jubilee Clock, High Street, Brent, March to Central Middlesex Hospital

Ealing

Marches assemble 10am at Southall Park and 11am at Acton Park Both will march to Ealing Common for a 1pm rally