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Hundreds attend as protest march is held to save hospital from merger plan
Hinchingbrooke Hospital march, - Credit: Archant
Organisers say hundreds of people attended a protest march calling for plans to force Hinchingbrooke Hospital into a merger with Peterborough Hospital to be scrapped.
Jointly organised by Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly and the Hands off Hinchingbrooke group, the march, held on Saturday, saw protestors march from Riverside Park up to the hospital itself.
Mr Djanogly said he was “delighted” with the turnout and show of support for the hospital.
He told The Hunts Post: “Present were representatives of all political parties, unions, friendship groups and non-connected local people, all of whom view Hinchingbrooke as a vital part of our local community.
“The marchers had three agreed requests; there should be no merger between Hinchingbrooke and Peterborough hospitals, Hinchingbrooke should retain its services, and the proposals to be announced by the respective trusts later this month should be subject to full local consultation.
“We continue to collect signatures for our petition against merger and I shall, if necessary, pursue our campaign at the highest levels in Westminster. But let’s hope that the hospital boards and the regional NHS listen to what local residents and their patients so clearly wish to see.”
It was announced in January that Hinchingbrooke Hospital could lose some of the main functions of its accident and emergency department, and other key services could be moved to other hospitals as part of a proposed merger with Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS trusts.
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According to Mr Djanogly, Hinchingbrooke’s A & E, obstetrics, and maternity departments were being considered as part of a review that could lead to a merger.
The Hinchingbrooke and Peterborough NHS Trust boards signed a memorandum of understanding in December and agreed to look at the business case for merging the hospitals.
The Hinchingbrooke Health Care Trust’s board is holding a public meeting to discuss possible collaboration with Peterborough on Monday, May 23, at 11am in the partnership suite at the hospital.
