Coppetts Wood isolation hospital was shut in 2000
- Credit: Archant
If the first casualty of war is truth, then the first casualty of a pandemic must be democracy. For with social distancing comes the loss of public meetings; there is nowhere to physically ask questions, debate, share ideas, or convey distrust. What a good time to bury bad news.
Here in Crouch End, Haslemere Road residents recently discovered Haringey’s plans - far too late in the day - to dispose of this road’s much-needed overnight respite centre for families with profoundly learning disabled children. Local councillors were not informed, neither were carers nor residents consulted. Over the past decade Haringey council has haemorrhaged day centres, residential care, support and respite services. And now this last bastion too, without public debate.