Minister's 'No' to Hospital Supporters

BY A STAFF REPORTER
THE refusal by Mr. Robinson, the Minister of Health, to meet a delegation from the Save St. Teresa's Action Committee, was described by a committee member this week as a "monstrous denial of democratic rights".
Some 250 mothers and children marched on the House of Commons last week to protest against the decision to withdraw National Health Service support from St. Teresa's Maternity Hospital. Wimbledon.
The South-Western Regional Hospital Board has supported 50 beds at the 70-bed hospital, but they are planning to withdraw the subsidy and provide for beds at the large Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton.
35,000 SIGNATURES The Board has shown no sign of changing its decision— in spite of the "march of prams" last week, a 2,000strong protest meeting in Wimbledon Theatre on March 5 and a petition now bearing 35,000 signatures.
The hospital, which claims it has never lost a mother's life, is threatened with closure if the board's plans go through.
But Mr. Christopher Woodbridge, chairman of the parents' protest committee, is still optimistic. "It's too early yet to expect an outcome to our protests."
Guest preacher
AUXILIARY Bishop Harris of Liverpool is to preach in the city's Anglican Cathedral on Sunday, April 9.