Protest march planned in campaign to save hospital

A second protest march to fight proposals which could see the A and E department of St Richard's Hospital downgraded is being arranged.

It will take place on September 12 immediately before a consultation meeting about the proposals is held by the NHS.

The new parade is a response to the fact health services bosses have insisted on restricting the attendance at the meeting, at the Regis Centre, to just 300 people.

That is despite the fact the centre's Alexandra Theatre has a capacity of 364 seats.

News of the limit prompted Cllr Paul Wells to immediately announce his intention, with fellow councillor, Jeanette Warr, to hold the protest march to enable as many people as possible to let their views be known.

"We will show the NHS what we think of them. If we can't get into the theatre, we will rally outside," said Cllr Wells.

He said: "I am prepared to take to the streets again in September. If anybody else wants to join me, they will be more than welcome.

"A strong message has got to be sent out from the people of Bognor. I don't give a stuff that there are only 300 seats available for them in the theatre.

"We will see from the strength on the streets that we are not willing for the accident and emergency department at St Richard's Hospital to be downgraded."

The first protest march held by Cllr Wells and Cllr Mrs Warr attracted a record-breaking 1,200 people to the town centre in July last year. It was quickly arranged as a spontaneous reaction to the first suggestions that St Richard's could be affected.

The protestors walked from the London Road coach park, along London Road and down the precinct into York Road before a rally in the Place St Maur next to the theatre ready for a meeting which packed the venue.

The same route will be followed for next month's march. A starting time of 6pm will give plenty of scope for the procession to take place before the latest meeting begins at 7pm.

Cllr Wells revealed the new march at Monday's meeting of Bognor Regis Town Council after it was stated that the town council had received a consultation document from the West Sussex NHS Primary Care Trust about the proposed hospital shake-up.

These envisage the three A and E departments in West Sussex being reduced to just one.

He said afterwards: "This will be a peaceful march to show the strength of feeling in Bognor and the surrounding area towards the primary care trust."