Health protesters to form human chain

Campaigners hoping to prevent drastic health cuts that they say will cost Montgomeryshire lives by forming a human chain around a facility earmarked for closure.

 

Earlier this week a number of petitions with 30,000 signatures were handed in to the Welsh Assembly Government and with the deadline looming for the end of the public consultation, action is set to become even more radical to get the message across.

 

Mum of three Helen Jervis believes efforts need to be stepped up and people must show their support now before it is too late and vital services are transferred from Shrewsbury Hospital to Telford.

 

“We don’t have much time left so it is vital that everyone shows their support before it is too late and the services are moved,” she said.

 

MP Glyn Davies as well as candidates running for the forthcoming Assembly elections including Russell George (Conservative) and Wyn Williams (Liveral Democrats) have all stepped up their efforts but it looks like people power could have the biggest say.

 

On Monday, campaigners have hired an open top bus to hand in a petition to health chiefs. It will leave the Horse & Hound Pub in Shrewsbury at 11am before reaching the grounds of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to hand over the petition at 11.45am.

Following this on March 20, it has just been announced that there is a plan to form a human chain around the maternity and children’s building at the hospital at 4pm.

 

“We are expecting these stunts to attract a lot of media attention which will hopefully get the message across that these proposals ar simply wrong and will cost lives,” added Helen.

On Sunday, signatures are being collected at Harry Tuffins in the morning and at Coed y Dinas in Welshpool in the afternoon.

 

In a boost to campaigners this week, both Shropshire County Council and Powys County Council came out in opposition to the health proposals.