The NHS in our area, the North London Integrated Care Board is considering closing the maternity unit at either the Whittington or the Royal Free as part of a review of maternity services in our area. They say there is not enough money to fund urgently needed upgrades to both units. Our initial reaction at IKONP is that both should stay open to provide users with care close to where they live.

What can we do?
1) Go to the Whittington on Dec 20 at 5pm to join Islington’s Labour councillors protesting the possible closure of its maternity unit.

2) Sign this petition against the possible closure: https://www.islington-labour.org.uk/whittington-maternity-unit/

3) Respond to the ICB consultation. It is a long complex document so we are going through it now and plan to come back soon with suggested responses. It’s available at: https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Start-Well_Consultation-Document_web-version.pdf.

We will come back to you with next steps as the campaign develops.

Junior Doctor Strikes

We will also support the latest round of strikes by Junior Doctors, currently scheduled for 7am on the 20th December to 7am on the 23rd December 2023 and from 7am on the 3rd January to 7am on the 9th January 2024.