The campaign to stop the government closing the Maudsley Emergency Clinic has been gathering momentum since the announcement of its planned closure was made.

Last week’s Council meeting was dominated by the issue. The campaigners presented what I thought ws the best deputation I had heard in the council chamber. The steps of the town hall were packed with protesters before the meeting.  And the standrd of debate in the chanber even did justice to the importance of the issue. You can’t always say that.

All four parties on the council voted for a motion condemning the proposed closure.  All the borough’s MPs are also against the closure (although those with government jobs have gone quiet since the announcement was made).  I was left wondering what it says about out political system that one person in Whitehall can ignore that level of opposition.  The case argued by the Liberal Democrats for reforming the NHS to make it democratic and locally accountable is now surely overwhelming.    

Southwark Council has engaged Living Streets (the national charity campaigning for better streets and public spaces for people on foot) to look at Lordship Lane (from Goose Green to the Plough, by the Library) from the point of view of local people. The idea is to identify ways to improve our main shopping street and make it a better place to walk, talk, shop and meet friends.  

Most people I have spoken to think Lordship Lane could be a better place for pedestrians.  If you have views - now is the time to make them heard!

COME TO A MEETING: on Wednesday 31st January at 7.00pm, at the Dulwich Grove United Reformed Church Hall, opposite Dulwich Hospital – free refreshments

COME FOR A WALK: You can join Living Streets and local councillors on Lordship Lane to point out problems first-hand on Saturday 3rd February at 11.00am, starting from Dulwich Grove United Reformed Church Hall, opposite Dulwich Hospital.

Please come along and raise the issues important to you about Lordship Lane, and how it affects your quality of life. If you can attend, please let Paul at Living Streets know on 01539 738610, or 07917 312911; or email paul.holdsworth@livingstreets.org.uk – or simply turn up on the day!

Political Language is in the spotlight in this week’s Southwark News.  Last week, Cllr Danny McCarthy, who left the Lib Dems to join Labour just six months after the election, was described as a rat.  Intemperate, maybe. But no doubt he has called and been called worse.  Danny duly put pen to paper to complain about this outrageous use of language.  But his protests have been dented by the decision of his New Labour colleague, Andrew Pakes to compare the Council leader with the murdering dictator General Pinochet! Cllr Pakes learnt his politics in the National Union of Students …

Saturday’s Guardian had a front page story highlighting the stance taken by our MP, Tessa Jowell and others against the Labour Government health cuts. The piece pointed out that 13 Government ministers are campainging against their own Government’s cuts.

The local cut in question is the closure of the Maudsley Emergency Clinic which has now been confirmed .  Both Tessa Jowell and next door Southwark MP Harriet Harman have weighed in to save the hospital despite their status as Government ministers - in Tessa’s case sitting in the Cabinet.  The  arguments put forward by this influential pair have fallen on deaf years and the cuts are going ahead.

It use to be said that there are two types of MP. One type, epitomised by someone like Simon Hughes or on the government benches, Kate Hoey, is the independent-minded backbencher, free from the shackles of Government who will fight tirelessly for their constituents and make sure their voice is heard. The other, epitomised by Jowell is at the centre of the Government party,  they have less time for their constituency because of the ministerial job but we are told that the quiet influence at the heart of Government makes up for this.

 There are advantages to both types. But what of  the good folk of Dulwich and West Norwood who are represented by an MP who - famously - lives in North London, who pays visits to our area only rarely and who is now exposed as having a position of power which  apparently gives her no influence to achieve a positive outcome for her constituents.

Labour’s  Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has ordered the closure of the Maudsley Emergency Clinic.

This is a hugely disappointing decision by the Government. The Campaign for the Maudsley Clinic had the support of all parties and wide sections of the community. No one really believes  that the best way to provide emergency mental health services in our area is via a single small room attached to an Accident and Emergency Department.

Worse, Patricia Hewitt has given the go ahead before proper details of the new service provision are in place.  It looks as though there will be room for a single patient to be assessed before being sent on their way. In contrast, the Maudsley Clinic had room for a number of patients and the facilities to keep them in if their situation required.

The Chair of Southwark’s Health Scrutiny committee, Cllr David Noakes has rightly posed the following questions :-          Although Ms Hewitt refers to the capital funding for the new service being in place, can the same be said for the revenue funding?-          Will the new service remain in place whatever the pressures of the A&E department or will busy times lead to a loss of provision? -          Will suitable doctors, nurses and other staff be available 24 hours a day for this new service?”

Finally, local councillors are seeking an assurance that the new service will be open before the Maudsley Clinic closes. In the meantime, we will continue with our plans to hold a debate at Council Assembly next week and to seek to secure all party backing for our position against this decision.

Coming as it does hot on the heals of the decision to close Dulwich Hospital, Labour’s 1997 election pledge to ’save the NHS’ is looking increasingly hollow.

Happy New Year!

I have been informed that Friern Road is to close to enable the installation of a new gas main. The closure, from the junction of Underhill Road to Upland Road and from Goodrich Road to Etherow Street, will be over six weeks in two stages starting from 3rd January.

The Southern Gas contact regarding the works is Neil Jordan who can be contacted on 020 88586910 during office hours.