THOUSANDS TAKE TO THE STREETS AGAINST TRUST PLANS

It is believed Bridlington today saw its biggest ever protest, as residents turned out in force in a bid to Save Vital Services at the town's hospital.

Organised by Mick Pilling Chairman/Organiser: Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group, Mick said; this shows without any shadow doubt the strength of feeling by the residents of Bridlington and district....The clear message to the Scarborough NHS Trust leave Bridlington Hospital alone we need the (CMU) Cardiac Monitoring Unit, we need Acute Medical Services now and for the foreseeable future it is part of Bridlington it is the Heart of Bridlington it as saved many lives and will do so if left were it is.

The Scarborough NHS Trust were invited to the March-Protest-Rally but declined saying; "Have a good march and we hope the weather is fine"  We would have thought the Trust would have sent a representative to address the 1,000's of Marchers from all walks of life, everyone made an extreme effort.

More than 2,000 people walked from Morrisons in Bessingby Way to the hospital in a procession designed to show Scarborough NHS Healthcare Trust bosses the strength of feeling in the town and surrounding villages.

The Mayor of Bridlington led the well organised March, as the March passed the Fire Station 4 Fire Appliances were stood out in support as was the Ambulance service, half way on the March the Children of the Mist Pipes & Drums from Flamborough then led the March into the Hospital, you had to be there to see the March which took some 20 Min's and streached over a mile; the police were brilliant led by Inspector Steve Jackson roads were manned and the March went off without a hitch.

I Mick Pilling was completely overwhelmed by the response, the town was stood united in its fight to retain all services, are other marches planned for the future, the answer; Yes! if the Trust continue to remove services. Groups came for Scarborough, the Save Scarborough Hospital Campaign Group were present with approx 50+ members, PAGER were there in Strength, Unite the Union and many others.

Under plans drawn up by Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare Trust, which manages the hospital, the Cardiac Monitoring Unit and some Acute Medical Services could be transferred 20 miles away in Scarborough Hospital.

The Trust has already decided to move maternity services to Scarborough these will be gone within 12 months along with Malton & Whitby as soon as the site at Scarborough Hospital is completed.

Following the march, Mick Pilling addressed the people: campaigners, union representatives, staff;  MP Greg Knight addressed the crowd at a rally in the hospital grounds putting his full support behind our campaign, he will be meeting the Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP Health Service minister and discussing the Bridlington Hospital and what he can do to retain services at Bridlington.  Councillors from Bridlington were there in support, recently the Bridlington Town Council gave the Trust " a Vote of NO Confidence " this still stands!

Jean Wormwell, secretary of Pensioners Action Group East Riding (PAGER) said: "This is without a doubt the biggest protest Bridlington has seen.  "It shows this hospital means a lot to people and the situation is very serious now.  "They are going to take all the medical services away from here."

Mick Pilling also stated to the marchers "If you have a Heart Attack or Chest Pains and the CMU is removed, you will have to go to either Scarborough, York or Hull, if the A165 to Scarborough is blocked by snow, ice, dense fog or any adverse weather conditions even a severe road accident you could loose your life whilst trying to get to Scarborough or any other hospital". Should the CMU be removed the Yorkshire Ambulance Service have stated it would cost in excess of £1.5m to commission ambulances, crews and equipment, state talks are on going with the Trust & PCT.

On a final note the Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group would like to thank all who took part,

• The Town of Bridlington & District Residents 
• The Children of the Mist Pipes & Drums
• The Bridlington Police & Insp Steve Jackson
• The Mayor of Bridlington Cllr Ray Allerston
• The Bridlington Town council
• PAGER & ERICA
• Save Scarborough Hospital Campaign Action Group 
• Unite the Union & Kevin Coyne
• The Rt. Hon. Greg Knight MP
• Designs by Debbie for printing 20,000 leaflets Sponsors:
• Lloyd Dowson Accountants
• Barry Dixon signs
• The Grafix Shack
• Brighams F.D.
• The Bridlington Free Press

If your name is not mentioned so sorry, please accept a BIG thank you and a pat-on-the-back

Many apologies to all the traffic who were held up on the day, thank you for your patience

Kindest regards Mck Pilling Chairman/Organiser Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group

PS - Thank you to the many people who have sent emails of Well Done, Thank you, what a professional march, oganised brilliantly and so on.

Thank you all !!