Stafford hospital campaigners launch fresh wave of protests
Hospital campaigners in Stafford have launched a fresh wave of protests as part of a last ditch attempt to prevent services moving north of the county.
Consultant led maternity services are transferring from County Hospital to Royal Stoke University Hospital on Friday.
Children's services will then follow soon afterwards.
But campaigners say it is a disaster waiting to happen in light of the winter crisis which saw Royal Stoke declare a major incident on Monday night.
Dozens of Support Stafford Hospital protesters gathered outside Staffordshire Place in Stafford on Thursday and again outside Royal Stoke University Hospital yesterday, wielding placards and banners.
A larger protest is being held in Stafford's Market Square on Monday evening at 6pm.
Support Stafford Hospital campaigner Julian Porter said: "This is the last hurrah for us. Services are due to move on Friday.
"We are hoping the borough council will listen to us and serve an injunction to delay the move.
"A lot of people will be out in Market Square on Monday night."
The group claim services moving will put Royal Stoke staff and resources under extra pressure, as well as meaning longer journeys and potential risks for Stafford residents.
Following the protest on Monday, Stafford Borough Council will hold a special meeting where members will debate the way ahead in the fight to keep a full range of hospital services in the town.
Consultant-led maternity services, for medium to high-risk births, are moving to Stoke and New Cross, Wolverhampton, as part of the overhaul.
As part of the changes to health services in Staffordshire, a total of £250 million will be spent at the County Hospital, meaning the A&E department will double in size.
Outpatient facilities will be expanded, wards will be refurbished and a new theatre opened.
Latest figures show Royal Stoke is missing its four-hour waiting target in its A&E by some distance.
Bosses declared the major incident had finished by Thursday.
