The Health Services March being planned for Hayle on Sunday, 27 August, is evolving into a county-wide protest. Major organisations that have lobbied long and hard to improve health services throughout Cornwall are joining together to protest under-funding and poor management of health services. Specific demands include an independent review of health services in Cornwall and, until that has been completed, an end to the cuts in services at the West Cornwall Hospital plus removal of the threat of cuts at, or even complete closure of, St. Michael’s Hospital.
In calling for the march, Hayle Town Councillor Brian Capper produced some facts and figures on St. Michael’s Hospital:
- It has been providing health care on that site since 1914;
- It has four modern, well-equipped operating theatres;
- It has 70 beds in high-quality wards with seven patient toilets per ward;
- Patient satisfaction is an astonishing 99 percent;
- St Michael’s has never had a case of MRSA;
- Cancellation of admissions is extremely rare and is less than 1 per year on average.
Hayle Town Council, in voting unanimously to support the march, stated that it was “appalled that RCHT should even consider the closure of a hospital that is very well run, provides the highest standard of treatment and care and is clearly an important element in the strategic provision of health services in Cornwall.” The Council was also keen to express its strongest possible support for the independent review and for maintaining and enhancing the services at West Cornwall Hospital.
Hayle mayor Paul Birch said: “It is rare to find a topic on which all councillors agree and which is supported by virtually everyone in the community. I will be at the front of this march and, as a member of the Mayors Parlour Campaign, fight to ensure its objectives are realised.”
According to Hayle Town and District Councillor John Bennett, who has been appointed as march coordinator: “We are expecting thousands of marchers and are planning accordingly. Please come to ensure we get a fair allocation of medical resources to Cornwall – ‘or 20,000 Cornish folks will know the reason why!’ Stand up and be counted and make Trelawny proud.”
The march will take place in good weather or in ‘Cornish sunshine.’ Protesters will be accompanied by bands from throughout Cornwall and led by those who have been fighting this fight for many years.
