Support sizzles for Stafford Hospital
More than 100 health campaigners from across the country gathered at a protest camp at Stafford Hospital to show their support for the fight to keep its services.
A BBQ was held at the site in Weston Road where up to 40 tents have been set up by campaigners who have vowed to stay as long as it takes in their bid to get a rethink over the move to downgrade the hospital with its A&E reduced to 14 hours, half the number of births and the withdrawal of children's services and critical care.
In the latest stage of their campaign other NHS protest groups from around the country were invited to the camp at the weekend including members of Save the Alex in Redditch and Lewisham People Before Profit group.
They are now looking to join forces to show solidarity and oppose controversial NHS changes.
The group of Stafford Hospital campaigners say they have been inundated with the backing of the public who have provided food, drink and there has also been letters arriving on the site addressed to the Support Stafford Hospital group.
One of the leading members Karen Howell said the BBQ had been a success in getting everyone to meet and talk about the best way forward.
"We want to get all the groups together. This will be the start of a focal point and we are going to network," she said.
"Rather than the groups working individually we need to be united and share advice.
"Together we need to change the Government on the policies they are implementing on reducing district hospitals across the country."
Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy also attended and said: "I am here because I want to show support for Support Stafford Hospital and the people that are here.
"We need to make sure the services are adequate and safe."
See also: Protesters camp out in Stafford Hospital grounds over planned cuts
John Hamilton, campaign officer for Lewisham people Before Profit, which has campaigned in support of its hospital, said: "We wanted to support the Stafford occupation. It is an extremely friendly camp and and I can see they have the support from the community."
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt approved the measures to strip services from the troubled site. It came after a critical public inquiry.
The protests comes after it emerged that two applications to launch legal bids against the downgrading of the hospital have been rejected.
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust said it had received reassurances from organisers that there would be no disruption to patients or visitors and was not increasing security.
