I don't live in London, but maybe some of you could go to the Chelsea and Westminster hospital to ask for a statement/explanation of who reached an agreement with the police to treat only cops and not to treat 'protesters'. That can be construed as any member of the public.

Make it clear that you are grateful for the life-saving care Alfie WAS given (only at the insistence of the Ambulance personnel) but that you are asking for clarification of on what grounds the above agreement was reached, and the name of the hospital staff and of the police officer it was agreed with.

It's full of sick, traumatised people in pain, frightened children and the newly bereaved. Not a place to stage a protest, I think. Plus, the media would love to depict an apparent 'blocade' on ambulance movement etc. Put the blame where it truly lies - the government and it's cop buddies.

This is beyond even the war crimes committed in conflicts globally. It is an illegal act in war, yet alone in what is supposed to be peace time Britain.

Class war criminals!

I wasn't suggesting blockading ambulances or anything else. Just maybe banners and a delegation politely asking the above questions which I feel need to be answered.
Otherwise we agree.

I have worked in the NHS for nigh on 22 years. A demo at a hospital is OK methinks I have been at demos aginst vivisection and against NHS cuts, the one at Charing Cross hospital on Friday evening was respectful and quiet. I think that if any demo does take place at the hospital it should be quiet and aimed at whichever police tool took orders from them. I think also that the paramedic showed great integrity and courage and solidarity should be shown with him and his colleagues. Remember hospitals are full of graduates and students, paramedics, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physios, ad infinitum. A demo showing solidarity with Alfie, the ambulance crew who saved his life and the staff who do a very difficult job and are facing cuts as well could be very powerful and relevant as long as it is quiet, and considerate to those suffering. It is a good idea to demo the hospital after all patients will suffer as a result of student cuts. Young students who are following their vocation to help people are struggling, without them becoming the new blood of the NHS all patients will suffer.

I agree that a demonstration at the hospital is fine. Something that, unlike the police, respects the service the NHS should provide to everyone.

The demonstrators need to be aware of two things though. Firstly, not all hospital staff are as committed to the principles of the NHS as others. Some hospital staff collaborated with the police to restrict the access of patients to this hospital. Some of them actively collaborated with the police, others passively collaborated with the police, but both are unacceptable. The only NHS staff who deserve respect are those who spoke out and opposed the police, which from reports at the moment seems to have been one ambulance worker. Demonstrators should not be afraid to use banners to ask staff at the hospital to examine their consciences.

Secondly, the police have a record of turning up at demonstrations and causing trouble, then putting out false press releases which are reported word for word by a mass media which doesn't check whether the press releases are truthful. This doesn't mean that people should not demonstrate, but that they should be aware of how far the police will go to create trouble.

My point exactly. You go along to a quiet, respectful demo (i personally wouldn't bother with that, but that's just impatient old me) and the cops turn it into something else entirely. Seen it many times and I'm sure you have too. The only difference is that we know how it gets reported (not that it's worth playing the media game, biaised as they are).