The march was a huge success
To all our many supporters from all walks of life
The Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign are please to announce
The March/Protest/Rally took place on: SATURDAY 26th JULY 2008
It left Bridlington Business Centre on Bessingby way at 10.00am prompt. It then Marched to the hospital were the turn-out was overwhelming and exceeded all expectations.
Estimates that 7,000+ people took to the streets of Bridlington; they came from Whitby, Malton, Scarborough, Filey, Driffield, Hornsea, Skipsea Beverley, feelings were high that only just prior to the March the Maternity was closed to births from early next year, this angered marchers, to think that also on the cards were the closures of the Cardiac Monitoring Unit and Acute medical services later this year.
Pictures Courtesy of Simon Kench
We are no calling for the complete resignation of health chief Sir Michael Carlisle this was carried unanimously.
We have urged all residents of bridlington and surrounding areas to write to the Health Minister Alan Johnson MP and to tell him how much the CMU & Acute mean to the town
We sent out invitations to the trust but we got NO answer! The weather made all the difference to the march it was a brilliant day
The March was a Huge Success we had a turnout of 7,000 plus the March went off without a hitch, I was praised by the town for the work and dedication we have put in over the last 6yrs
I just hope that the strength of feeling carries it weight to Parliament
I would like to thank our local MP Greg Knight for his support, all Councillors; the Hotel & Guest House Association who help to Finance this March; Bridlington Mayor, the Bridlington TUK-TUK, Designs by Debbie for printing, the Children of the Mist Pipe & Drum Band, Bridlington Majorettes, Unite the Union, all the many people who helped with distribution of leaflets, all the Bridlington shops & Businesses who support us, Lloyd Dowson for there continued support. Plus anyone else missed out. The Bridlington Free Press did a brilliant coverage of the March
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to drivers whilst this march was being held
The reason for this March-Protest ; The Scarborough NHS Trust plan to remove the Cardiac Monitoring Unit and Acute Medical Services by October 2008 ....The also plan to remove all Junior doctors to Scarborough by 1st of August 2008 ....They have closed a full ward of 28 beds (The Kent Ward) Trust reasons? NO staff! This is an appalling situation, no new nurses have been put into Bridlington Hospital this year; this is closure by Stealth.
A special thanks goes to the Police Jason Scotter who supervised this March professionally
Mick Pilling March Organiser...........
Pictures Courtesy of Simon Kench
HOSPITAL campaigners are set to play the waiting game after more than 6,500 protestors expressed their disgust over proposed service cuts in Bridlington.
Organisers of the march through the town on Saturday were delighted with the turnout but now feel all they can do is sit back until a vital report investigating the cuts is published.
The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) will reveal its findings at the end of the month into Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust's proposals to close the cardiac monitoring unit and acute medical services at Bridlington Hospital.
Organiser Mick Pilling said: “The feedback from Saturday has been tremendous. There were 6,500 on the march and more waiting at the hospital. That was overwhelming.
“The next step is to wait for the IRP report which goes before Health Secretary Alan Johnson next week.”
Saturday's rally cost the Save Bridlington Hospital campaign £1,000.
Mr Pilling said: “We always need donations and we cannot run our campaign without help.”
Pictures Courtesy of Simon Kench