Angry meeting defends Kirkby hospital

Angry locals crammed into a consultation meeting in a small ex-mining town in Nottinghamshire last week, outraged at plans to sell off local health services.

Around 150 people came to oppose plans to close all four wards at Kirkby’s community hospital and sell off the NHS facilities—except the expensive PFI extension.

Under the plans the hospital would only provide daytime health services. There would be no beds and no operations, even though it has an operating theatre that has been largely mothballed since it was built.

The local Labour Party, councillors and the trades council have coordinated their opposition. A march has been called to the next consultation meeting in August.

The trades council is also linking the campaign to building for the TUC demo on 20 October. It is encouraging a big turnout on the coaches from campaigns across Nottinghamshire.

Open organising meeting called by trades council to build for the TUC demo: Wednesday 18 July, Mechanics Institute, 3 North Sherwood St, Nottingham. Public meeting same venue, Thursday 20 September. Go to www.nottstuc.org