Health campaigners hold torchlit procession (From Messenger Newspapers)

Health campaigners hold torchlit procession

7:52pm Monday 29th October 2012 in News

HEALTH campaigners will be holding a spectacular torchlit procession and candle-lit vigil at Trafford General this week.

The vigil marks the end of a three-month consultation on the future of services at Trafford General Hospital, where then Health Minister Nye Bevan opened the NHS 68 years ago.

Health bosses have been consulting on controversial proposals that include turning its A&E department into an urgent care centre, and this would then become a nurse-led unit for minor illnesses and injuries within three years.

Intensive care and the paediatric observation and assessment unit would be closed and acute surgery would no longer be carried out at the hospital.

The Save Trafford General campaign, which last week presented a 12,500 name protest petition at 10 Downing Street, is holding a procession and vigil on Wednesday afternoon to mark the end of the consultation.

Protesters will set off from Golden Hill Park in Umston at 5.30pm led by two flaming torches, to walk the 10 minutes to Trafford General. There they will light candles and play live music from 6pm-7pm.

Campaign chairman Matthew Finnegan said: "It is the same night as Halloween, so we want to do something that is fitting and appropriate. We will even have sweets for the kids, so they do't miss out on trick or treating by joining the protest with their parents."