Staffordshire health crusaders in 30-mile march
Hundreds of health campaigners are preparing to take on a 30-mile march across Staffordshire over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The three-day demonstration is in protest at attempts by the county's four clinical commissioning groups, including Cannock and Stafford, to contract out both cancer and end-of-life services.
Three groups have come together – Cancer Not For Profit, the Trade Union Council and online petition group 38 Degrees – to fight what they see as increasing privatisation of the NHS.
An online petition to stop cancer and end of life care in Staffordshire being sold off has attracted more than 62,000 signatures.
Cancer Not For Profit is calling on the public to join the fightback after the announcement that Virgin Care has secured a £280 million seven-year contract from East Staffordshire CCG for the care of 6,000 elderly people and 38,000 patients with chronic diseases.
Members have condemned the contract, fearing the quality of care will suffer as private companies seek to make profits.
The group previously lodged a petition containing more than 8,000-signatures to Staffordshire County Council opposing the £1.2 billion move. That petition is still running and has around 15,000 names.
Gail Gregory, from Cancer Not For Profit, said: "The people of Staffordshire are fed up with attacks on our NHS and we want everyone who cares about the future of our health service to join with us on May Day weekend."
Campaigners are calling on the public to show their support by joining the march which begins with a rally in Burton-upon-Trent on Saturday at 10am before moving on to Uttoxeter, Blthye Bridge and Stoke for a final rally on Monday.
