Amended to close it down in April 1984.
hospital left to provide a . ment women women doctors and staff.
Kathy McKewan, midwife at South London, explained why saving the "The SCIVICC that One of our aims is preventative medicine.
"Betore the closure threat, we were planning to expana our services providing, a walk-in Well Woman clinic and screening for cancer of the breast alu cervix.
'We also have the only day-care abortion in the district. Although we nave over 70 beds. we proud of our reputation as a very welcoming hospital with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Wandsworth District Health Authority say they are closing the South "London so they can divert the £2½ million saved to services for the mentally ill, handicapped and elderly.
But as Kathy says, 'we aren't going to fall into the years later, the Wandsworth District Health Authority have unanimously recomwhere resources should go.
We want the best health services for all sections of the community.
'In the last 7 years there've beer ave hospitals closed in south London, with no evidence that the money has gone to those in need — it just gets swallowed up in the overall budget' The staff at the hospital have all reacted angrily to the proposal for closure, and are united in Leer determination fight it.
support campaign has been active locally; with the GLC Women's Commitcc. women's groups and movement tivists. . The campaign • al' also supported by MPs Jo Richardson and Joan 'Mrs Maynard who Thatcher is always sald;
saying how concerned she is about "the family" and as women comprise at least •percent ol 'the family" their needs must be raised very publicly in the pre-election period.' South London Hospital Campaign meets every Thursday at Balham for women to control their own fertility has been long fought for in the The trade unions have also been pressured to taking a stand on this issue.
So many people will be disappointed with campaign document for the general election.
The New Hope for Britain states, 'While continuing deferd respect the absolute right of individual conscience, we will improve National Health Service for tamily planning abortion, counselling and day care and will riers to the implementation of the existing right of women in the Lennalon of cy.
This falls far short of the policy adopted by Labour Party Conference.
invone DRIVER. Send contribu.
Order' Socialist Action, 328 Upper Street London N1 2XP to arrive not later than Thurs day a week prior to publication. 1967 Act is completely inadequate, because it leaves the decision in the hands doctors. policy supports abortion for women on request.
Blocks The New Hope for Britain holds to the 'existing right of women, where doctors can retuse to do abortions. Anti-abortion consultant gynaecologists are still one of the main blocks to NHS abortions in many areas.
The campaign document sticks to the 1967 Act, proposing simply to improve facilities to imple ment it.
Some Labour leaders think abortion rights are a controversial vote loser What they forget is that at the time OI the anti-abortion Corrie Bill, the Own magazine showed 80 percent of women supporting abortion as a woman's choice in conjunction with her doctor.
The TUC gathered magnificent support for its for abortion rights THE union-called demonstraUOR unprecedented where in the world UrUG lal ine Roman Catholic church and reactionary members of the against abortion. But the Labour Party doesn't exist to represent them. It's responsibility is , to fight class women, port their right to choose.
The members views more closely than the National Executive Committee, which drew up the campaign document. Hostile Some members of the NEC remain hostile to the right of women to control their own bodies There has also been a lot of anti-abortion activity against MP's who support abortion rights. This may have frightened Labour leaders into retreat.
We must make sure that conference commitment to improve abortion rights appears in Labour's manifesto.
This should extend further than just improving facilities. Conference decisions for a women's right to choose should become a real 'new hope', in law and in practice.
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women's hospital can pro- vide are essential today.
Food & Book Co-op, High Street, Balham at 8pm.
for the needs of working , who do sup-