KWASH campaign given another boost by bed-push event

The push was part of the continuing support for the two hospitals that have been threatened with the downgrading or closure of the accident and emergency and maternity departments.

The campaign is awaiting the consultation document the from the Primary Care Trust on the future of the hospitals.

The bed pushers left Southlands Hospital at 8.30am and stopped at Shoreham, Worthing Hospital, Fish Factory (Splash FM cover) and arrived at 11am at Splash Point to be welcomed by the new mayor of Worthing Heather Mercer.

Mrs Mercer said: "We have to keep public awareness going because it's been going on for so long."

She said this was also an opportunity for a trial run ready for the bed push to London later this year, when all the hospitals under threat in the country will be meeting up.

Former mayor Tom Wye, who was one of the bed pushers, said that by the time they had got to Splash Point a couple hundred people had joined them.

He said: "It was a good show of solidarity and we have got to remind the residents of Worthing and the catchment area for the hospital that the hospitals are still under threat.

"This is keeping the campaign going before the consultation comes out. We must not make people think it's all over; we have got a massive fight on our hands."

For full story see West Sussex Gazette May 30