Actor Rupert backs Whittington fight after rush to A&E with son
 | | Rupert Graves |
ACTOR Rupert Graves has signed a new petition to save The Whittington Hospital's accident and emergency department - after having to rush his two-year-old son there when he swallowed a coin.
Mr Graves, who has appeared in films such as The Madness of King George and V for Vendetta, added his name to the list of those fighting the possible closure of the casualty department in Magdala Avenue, Archway, after experiencing first-hand the work it does.
The 46-year-old, who lives in Arundel Square, Islington, said: "Our two-year-old son Noah swallowed a 2p coin a couple of months ago and we were told by NHS Direct to get him to hospital right away in case he stopped breathing. We got him to the A&E at the Whittington in 10 minutes and they were amazing.
"There was no waiting around. A consultant saw him right away and he was obviously a bit shocked but they were brilliant with him.
"In the end he was absolutely fine but as a dad-of-four, the oldest of whom is six, it's reassuring to know that when you have an emergency you can get somewhere so good so quickly."
Mr Graves is one of 150 people who have so far signed the petition organised by newly-formed group Defend The Whittington Hospital Coalition - a non-political community group set up by residents of Islington, Camden and Haringey to fight the closure.
The group also plan to make their voices heard at the next public meeting with NHS officials at the Archway Methodist Church Hall, on Archway roundabout, on Monday.
Zozi Goodman, from Tufnell Park Road, Tufnell Park, who co-founded the Defend The Whittington Hospital Coalition, said: "We set up this group to represent the views of the community, and this just shows how much the potential closure will affect everybody, no matter who they are.
"Everybody uses The Whittington, rich and poor, famous and ordinary people.
"As a mum-of-three I've spent my fair share of time at the A&E at The Whittington and I dread to think what might have happened if I'd had to go to the Royal Free or University College Hospital. I don't know how you'd even get there. Nobody wants to take a sick child on the Tube in rush hour."
The North Central London NHS is considering whether to close the A&E department as part of plans to downgrade the Whittington to "local" hospital status.
To sign the petition, go to www.petitiononline.com/dwhc/petition.html
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