healthcoalition+-+who+we+are

=**DEFEND HARINGEY'S HEALTH SERVICES COALITION**=

**Who we are**

 * The coalition is an alliance of groups and individuals campaigning against cuts, closures and privatisation of local health services. We are also seeking improvements and genuine accountability to local residents, patients and those who work in health services.**

The main active campaigning groups are the Better Local Healthcare Campaign and the Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition.

The Better Local Healthcare Campaign has been active nearly 5 years (mainly in the west of Haringey) standing up for health services and facilities, distributing leaflets, holding public meetings (the last one was on November 22nd 2010, attended by 50 people).

The Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition (initially set up by Haringey, Islington and Camden health activists, but now mainly based in Islington) organised the 5,000-strong march to the hospital early in 2010. This resulted in all political parties pledging to keep the Accidednt & Emergency Unit open.

There have also been other local campaigns, such as:

- the Laurels Action Group campaign in South Tottenham to prevent the privatisation of the GP practice in the Laurels Well-being Centre, and ensure that this facility is fully used to benefit the community - the Save St Ann's Hospital Campaign Group, who have been campaigning for many years to oppose the run-down of the hospital facilities on the site - Keep Haringey Breastfeeding campaign, for adequate support and encouragement for mothers [|www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142502759132752#!/group.php?gid=127306207309609]

The Coalition was formed in 2006 and has itself organised 2 local marches. It has been supported by the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations, the Haringey Trades Union Council and Haringey Health Unison. Some information (now a bit out of date) can be found at: [|www.defendharingeyhealthservices.org.uk]

Many of the key activists are now involved with the broader Haringey Alliance for Public Services - [|www.hapsnews.net]