Campaigners plan rally in Shrewsbury town centre to keep A&E at hospital

The event has been organised by the Shropshire People's Assembly, working with Shropshire Defend our NHS, and is being supported by the Shropshire & Telford Trades Union Council.

The groups say they are worried that a review of Shropshire's hospital services could result in an accident and emergency department being removed from a hospital.

Earlier this year the programme board of NHS Future Fit, which is carrying out the review, announced six options for the future structure of Shropshire's hospitals, with only one recommending both hospitals retain acute services.

The rally takes place at Market Square, Shrewsbury, between noon and 4pm on Saturday, April 25.

Gill George, chair of Shropshire Defend Our NHS, urged people concerned about the county's hospitals to attend.

She said: "The bottom line is that we need people power here in Shropshire. It's up to us as users of the NHS to make sure it doesn't get destroyed.

"The NHS is massively under threat and if we do not come together and fight for it we will lose it in its current form and that would be a disaster for our children and our children's children.

"This rally will be one of the events where people can stand firm and say "let's fight for our NHS and our hospitals."

Mrs George said the group is concerned that financial pressure on the county's hospitals could lead to the loss of services.

She said: "We have got huge concerns about the review that is currently taking place in Shropshire. What you have is a situation where the organisation which runs Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital Telford was £12 million in debt last year and has set a deficit budget for this year.

"We are not party political, our supporters come from a wide range of political groups but this is about fighting for an NHS that meets people needs now and in 20 years time. It is a big fight."

The Shropshire & Telford Trades Union Council has previously passed a resolution saying that Shropshire needs two accident and emergency departments and two hospitals.

A number of speakers will address the rally, including Diana Holland, the Assistant General Secretary of Unite.

Joyce Brand, a member of Shropshire Defend Our NHS, has also called on people to quiz the county's election candidates over NHS plans.

She said: "With a general election coming up, we want to put our politicians on the spot. They can all say 'Trust me, the NHS is safe' - but do they actually mean it? Will they fight to keep our A&E open? Will they stop the closure of one of our local acute hospitals, Shrewsbury or Telford?"