Charing Cross Campaigners Awarded Freedom of the Borough
Council's highest honours bestowed on citzens who fought to save hospital
(Left to right) Stephen Hirst, Jim Grealy, John Lister, Stephen Cowan, Merril Hammer, Michael Mansfield. Photo by Hammersmith and Fulham Council
Campaigners who helped save Charing Cross Hospital have spoken of their pride after receiving awards from Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
At a town hall gathering on January 22, Freedom of the Borough awards – the highest honour at councils’ disposal – were bestowed upon Jim Grealy, Merril Hammer and Anne Drinkel.
Freedom awards were also given to Dr Stephen Hirst, John Lister, and Michael Mansfield QC, who led a public inquiry into the Government policy behind the closure plan.
They join previous recipient, the Fulham FC legend George Cohen, who was part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad. Last year the Freedom was awarded to former mayor Mike Cartwright.
Receiving his Freedom award, Fulham resident Mr Grealy, 73, pictured above with H&F Mayor, Cllr Daryll Brown, told the hall: " I’m astonished and moved to be here.
" Many thousands of people up and down the borough got into the street because we couldn’t believe the utterly calamitous possibility that Charing Cross could be shut down…
" I come from Ireland which does not have a national health service. When I saw that you could get the best treatment without being rich, I could hardly believe it.
The former teacher added: “People up and down the country face people who know balance sheets and accounts but know nothing about human suffering."
His wife Merril Hammer, 73, above, also a former teacher, said: " Individually, personally, I’m extraordinarily proud and overwhelmed, also on behalf of other members of Save Our Hospitals and what is now Hammersmith and Fulham Save Our NHS. What an extraordinary bunch of people.
" It’s been said that we have been out in all weathers for seven years before the hospital was saved. We will continue to do so until the NHS is safe.
"Can I say thank you to the borough, the council, and the people of Hammersmith and Fulham. If we hadn’t had the support of the borough we wouldn’t be where we are now."
Ms Drinkel was unable to attend.
From 2012 to early 2019, they organised the Save Our Hospitals campaign against a series of planned changes that were part of the Government policy called Shaping a Healthier Future.
Under the policy, which cost an estimated £500 million, A&Es at Hammersmith Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital closed in 2014. Ealing Hospital’s children’s ward and maternity wards both closed.
But plans to close the A&E at Ealing Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital were eventually halted in March 2019 by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
The NHS said it improved children’s A&Es at West Middlesex, Hillingdon, Northwick Park, Chelsea and Westminster, and St Mary’s hospitals under the policy.
In a speech that detailed the story of how the hospital was saved, council leader Stephen Cowan said: " Without Anne Drinkel, Jim Grealy, Merril Hammer’s leadership, and everybody else on this campaign, I have no doubt the public’s understanding of the complex matters around Shaping a Healthier Future, would never have got beyond a select few.
" No matter what the weather, sometimes hail and sometimes bright sunshine, those volunteers, those residents, those unpaid citizens, were out fighting for a belief in our National Health Service."
Michael Mansfield QC chaired the Independent Healthcare Commission which investigated the Government and NHS’s policy. He previously represented the family of murdered Londoner Stephen Lawrence, and defendants in the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six IRA bombings.
His citation reads: "He was the central figure in the demolition of the Government’s case for the closure of two major hospitals in West London and is owed a debt of gratitude for the sterling work he put in to deliver the Commission’s excellent report."
Accepting his award, Mr Mansfield said: " I’ve been proud to be asked by ordinary people to convey to governments that change can be brought about by standing firm, standing together, carrying it through and not being afraid to challenge.
" I feel very strongly about what you enabled us to do and I feel extremely privileged to have inspired others and to have been a part of a centrifugal force of humanity."
Dr Hirst’s and Mr Lister’s role in the Commission was gathering evidence that " revealed the paucity of the business case that the NHS relied upon to close crucial hospital services".
Mr Hirst’s citation reads: " His medical expertise and in-depth knowledge of the health service was crucial in the analysis of the evidence the Commission received."
Mr Lister’s citation said his " many years of researching and writing about the NHS was an invaluable resource for the Commission".
The right for councils to award the Freedom of the Borough, making the recipient an honorary freeman, originates from 1885.
They are awarded to "persons of distinction and any persons who have rendered eminent services to the borough".
Owen Sheppard, Local Democracy Reporter
January 23, 2020