Sit-In protest at the Cottage
STAFF staged a 24-hour sit-in at Hayes Cottage Hospital yesrerday (Tuesday 29th May 1990) ) in the first stage of a campaign to halt privatisation plans.
Nursing and ancillary staff at the Grange Road hospital, which cares for the elderly,
claim there has been no consultation with them or families over the planned privatisation.
They are demanding full discussions with management.
Hillingdon Health Authority general manager Mike Bellamy said: "I very much regret
the action taken by some staff".
No decision has been taken on the future of Hayes Cottage, although the health authority is fully committed to modernising it, expanding its bed numbers and securing its future.
"It will discuss the various options at its meeting on June 12, but a final decision will not be made then.
"This 24-hour sit-in really is a nonsense and helps no one."
One 92-year-old long-stay patient, Maud Ashley, is threatening a hunger strike if she is forced to move out.
More than 3,000 signatures were collected in Hayes on Saturday by staff who claim theirpported by GPs and the community.
COHSE Health union representative Michael Walker said: "It is a local service offering high-quality care for the people of Hayes and Harlington.
This is a very local service offering high quality care for the the people of Hayes & Harlington - This is a very much loved facility"
Much of the hospital's equipment had been provided by local fund-raising, he added.
Protesters say that, if the hospital was privatised, beds would go to the highest bidder from anywhere in the country and would cease to be a local centre for communitycare
Mr Walker says managers have gone back on guarantees that the hospital would stay open and accused Mr Bellamy of being "economical with the truth" over his statements about its future.
In 1983, Hayes Cottage Hospital was occupied by staff and supporters (work-in) for several months as staff successfully fought to save it from closure.
See previous postings on 1983 Hayes Cottage Hospital Occupation and Northwood & Pinner Cottage Hospital occupation
click to enlarge photos
