Welcome to Whipps – and here’s a card

21 May. When NHS London Chief Executive Ruth Carnall visited Whipps Cross in May she received a message from the local community and the staff at Whipps – Confirm the future of our hospital as a district general hospital now, fully functioning and fully funded. A large card signed by over 30 local organisations was handed to her.

The message inside called for an end to the uncertainty over Whipps’ future, to lift the requirement to pay £27 million accumulated deficit – which will force yet more cuts in staff and wards – and for health funding to match the needs of North East London with its many deprived areas.

Backing for this call has come from many groups representing people with a particular stake in local health services – Arthritis Care, Diabetes UK local branches, the Lung Club, Waltham Forest Carers Association, Disability Action and National Childbirth Trust among others. Chairs of Waltham Forest and Whipps Patient Public Involvement Forums and Whipps Patient Panel have given their support, so have several faith organisations, schools, and residents’ associations. Whipps Cross Health unions and Senior Medical Staff Association, the Mayor, Leader and Deputy leader of Waltham Forest Council, Chair of Adults and Older People’s Scrutiny Committee and Neil Gerrard MP have supported.

Save Whipps Cross Hospital Campaign members say: “We found strong support from the organisations we were able to contact in the short time available, but this is only a start. The more organisations that add their name to this call the greater its strength. Once again we cannot sit back and let those far removed from our needs and interests determine the future of our health service.”

The London Strategic Health Authority chief was shown round by Whipps Cross executives, visiting Accident and Emergency, Cardiology and Maternity to give an idea of the breadth and depth of services Whipps Cross provides.

Whipps staff health union representatives helped gather signatures on the card to be given to NHS London Chief Executive. Left to right Indira Mootoosamy (British Medical Association), Charlotte Monro (Unison), Frances Heaslip (British Society of Medical Secretaries), Eddie Cook Amicus.