A SMALL army or than 150 police helped health officials smash work-in at Etwall Hospital in Derbyshire last Friday. hospital and the village were surrounded, and telephone lines were taken down.
As pre-convalescent Etwall helped relieve the pressure on beds at larger local hospitals, and the work-in to oppose closure which more began in December was backed by NUPE and COHSE. hospital South Derbyshire authority officials that for each The Erwall, two beds would be denied them. attempted to biackmail relatives by saying that they medical cover from patients left in unit, Local ambulance drivers refused to remove patients On Thursday evening the Health health nark near administrators LITCALCACUES patient referred to in local hospitals Al aliCY also would police.
and authority removed seven ambulances nom service alta pur lem In a cal the hospital. Two into the hospital to stay the night.
›am on rnaay iney but a padlock on the front and ar hour and a half later police sealed off . Health workers arriving for picket duty were met by a wall of hospital were opened to allow police officials ambulances carrying UHL remaining patients, nearly knocking over pickets as they went Work-ins other hospitals, which are supported by Fightback, should prepare for such attacks The Etwal Hospital Action Committee has pledged to continue the fight to re-open the hospital. Messages of support and donations Etwall Hospital Committee, c/o Wynn Connor, 85 Springfields Rd, Etwall, Derbyshire. the