defend Wendy Savage, the only female consultant in Tower Hamlets who looks after women who are having a baby, need an abortion or face gynaecological problems, who has been suspended by the District Health Authority.
The reason given for the suspension is an investigation into alleged malpractice (though suspension in such cases is very unusual). Five cases are involved, going back to 1983: but in only one case there a complaint from a patient; and in some of the cases, she was not actually on duty, but is being "charged" because she is responsible for the unit.
Wendy Savage is the only consultant in Tower Hamlets who believes that birth is not a "medical problem", , and women should have a say in how their babaies are born. She introduced home deliveries where she could, and visits GPs surgeries to give antenatal care. She also helps run the day care abortion centre in Mile End. Since her suspension, the other consultants have not been covering this work, and it is not being done. number of abortions being performed in the day care centre has dropped by half. For anti-abortionists, this that half the abortions are not being carried out, but that they are being delayed, and women are having to go into hospital overnight for later aborions.) The other consultants aren't just making cuts behalf of the DHA: they work in Harley Street, so haven't the time to work Wendy does in Tower Hamlets (she worked full time for the NHS).
It can be no coincidence Savage — who has always defended Mile End Hospital - has been suspended just as the DHA is stepping up its closure programme tor the Hospital. DHA meeting is to consider closing casualty department which sees more than 26,000 people a year (following closure of 6 other local casualties), which would leave the Whitechapel as the only casualty between the City and Newham District General. Future plans are then to remove the maternity and children's services to the Whitechapel aswell.
We were petitioning against the closure of Mile End casualty outside a local supermarket recently, and had a placard about Wendy Savage. Women were coming up and asking to sign the petition detence. There is great support amongst local women for Wendy Savage, the maternity service offered at Mile End Hospital. Help us save our services!
Contact: Wendy Savage Support Campaign, c/o Tower Hamlets Health Council, 23 New Road, London El. Tel. 01 247 7858.
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