The Joint Shop Stewards Committee of Hounslow Hospital has put OUL a Cal In SuDDOrE OI & WOrK"I at Hounslow Hospital, presently of CEOSUrC decision was taken by a unanimous vote of staff at a meeting on 8 March.
A Defence Committee was set up by Hounslow Hospital Staff as long ago as August 1976, when it became clear that extensive cuts in the area would mean 200 less beds.
he rader counci nas asked local labour movement bodies to organise pickets in ine event or attempts to break the work-in, re use al work wich would nero to effect the closure, together with inc backing or any rmwnci agrees to carry out such work, and to send resolutions of support to MPs, the TUC, the Labour Party and the Department of Health.
In their statement, the Joint Shop Stewards Committee draw on the experience of the work-in at the Elizabeth Garrett hospital. he statement advises Hounslow staff monitor actvity at the nospital so that proper public response can speediy mustered to Trustrate closure plans'.
Two consultants at the hospital Rain and Mr. Duff - have rece to connue to sene Dances to the hospital during the work-in. nis dercement is crucial. as las been shown by the EGA struggle, where the vacillation ot the consultants continues to be a potential source weakness in occupation. The EGA has shown that it is vital to ensure that the consultants put their services to the interests of the patients and workThis work-in will be only the second in tne nistory of tne Nanonal Health Service, according to the with no let-up in be of a new film, the subject of which is the EGA occupation The film — EGA Stays OK made by the Newsreel and was shown workers earlier this month.
However, the lim has hmitations. Firstly, the account of the EGA occupation is presented in a documentary style, suggesting that the Collective showing an occupation in itself will encourage other workers to struggle against cuts in that particular way.
Although the film did show how the acons or me Authority could be repeated in any suggestions on the way forward for DCICICC Ine SUERIC. Perhaps this would have helped in ensuring that the Health workers in West London occupied the meeting of the local Area Health Authority six weeks ago in defence of Anderson Hounslow Hospital and other hospitals in the area. Now a sit-in is the next step sight for Healey's continuing axing film can be used to help organise The concentration of the film on is timely. interviews with doctors, consult- was ants and full-time officers of the Collective unions also weakened its impact.
Hounslow This, however, is perhaps a reflection of the failure of the EGA occunauon to involve the mass ol workers in running the hospital, let struggle. just Finallv. the message of the film would have been SCrVICC d omers. This could have explained Area Health why the health service needs to be defended and improved through united action by patients, workers DrUVIUC ally and activists who are defending the facilities under attack.
Despite these shortcomings, this EGA and the health service.
workers from different hospitals.
clearer had it on intel people outside provide a useful basis for DOLCHuar CUSE health provoked amongst the staff Hounslow Hospital.
JENNY LAZENBY