Occupation of St Leonard's Hospital
Note
On 19 December 1983, campaigners to save St Leonard’s Hospital from cloosire marched to Addison House in Shoreditch where a crucial local District Health Authority meeting was taking place which would decide the future of healthcare in the City of London and Hackney.
Most of the District Health Authority’s members were appointed by the Regional Health Authority, and three were appointed by Hackney Council. They decided to close St Leonard’s, Mothers’ and the German hospitals in Hackney, and St Matthew’s Hospital in Islington.
The trade union representing staff at St Leonard's Hospital and Hackney Health Emergency took over running the St Leonard's Hospital for 12 days between 3-16 July 1984. They prevented administrators entering the hospital to remove patients and close the hospital. All 200 staff caring for patients were encouraged to work as normal. The occupation ended after law enforcement authorities entered the premises and the site was repossessed through a High Court order.
The District Health Authority agreed that outpatient clinics and community services would remain at St Leonard's but all Accident and Emergency services and beds would be transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital until the planned new Homerton Hospital opened in 1986.
Most of the District Health Authority’s members were appointed by the Regional Health Authority, and three were appointed by Hackney Council. They decided to close St Leonard’s, Mothers’ and the German hospitals in Hackney, and St Matthew’s Hospital in Islington.
The trade union representing staff at St Leonard's Hospital and Hackney Health Emergency took over running the St Leonard's Hospital for 12 days between 3-16 July 1984. They prevented administrators entering the hospital to remove patients and close the hospital. All 200 staff caring for patients were encouraged to work as normal. The occupation ended after law enforcement authorities entered the premises and the site was repossessed through a High Court order.
The District Health Authority agreed that outpatient clinics and community services would remain at St Leonard's but all Accident and Emergency services and beds would be transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital until the planned new Homerton Hospital opened in 1986.
