Burstow & Brake announce 'SOS: Save Our St Helier' Campaign Rally

5.18.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Nov 2006

Tom Brake MP, Sean Brennan Lib Dem Leader of Sutton Council, Paul Burstow MP, in front of the A&E at St Helier hospital, holding an SOS logo for ‘Save Our St Helier’.

Paul Burstow MP and Tom Brake MP have today announced plans to hold a rally to campaign against cuts and closures at St Helier Hospital, in conjunction with Sutton Council, UNISON and the local trades council.

The rally will be held on 25th November and is one of the key elements in a campaign being run by the borough's MPs to safeguard the future of hospital services in the area. The MPs will lead local residents and hospital staff, as they march from the Rosehill Recreation Ground to the St Helier Open Space, in front of the hospital, where a protest rally will be held.

Mr Brake and Mr Burstow, MPs for Carshalton & Wallington and Sutton & Cheam respectively, decided it was time to take direct action after months of mounting concern for the future of the hospital.

The announcement comes after a month where Epsom and St Helier hospital trust, which is responsible for managing the hospital, announced plans to close 200 beds and cut nearly 500 jobs in an effort to break even. The Trust will find £24 million in cost savings over a two year period in order to help balance out deficits in other parts of the NHS by making these cuts.

Commenting on why the pair decided a rally was necessary, Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said:

"The evidence is piling up: there is a real threat to the future of the hospital. The latest announcements of bed closures and job cuts reveal the true extent of the crisis in the local NHS."

"We need to take action now to safeguard the future of hospital services in our area. The march is a crucial part of our ongoing campaign to fight cuts and closures at the hospital."

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, added:

"I was born at St Helier, and so were my children. I want to ensure that future generations have a local hospital, providing decent healthcare to Sutton residents."

"I urge anyone who wants a hospital which can offer the full range of healthcare facilities here in Sutton, to join us on November 25th to send a message to Patricia Hewitt."

Notes to Editors:

Further background information on the hospital crisis, the campaign and the rally itself contained in the attached document 'St Helier Media Briefing'. Also attached, copies of correspondence with Secretary of State and media releases from Epsom and St Helier Hospital Trust.

Transport:

• The police will be closing Rosehill and diversions will be in place via Sutton Common Road and Reigate Avenue.

• There is no parking available at either end of the route - people are asked not to arrive by car unless absolutely necessary and to share cars where necessary.

• From Sutton town centre the 151, 154, 164 and 280 buses all leave the bottom of Sutton High Street and head up Rosehill to the Recreation Ground.

• The closest railway station is Sutton Common Station (start) St Helier (end). From Sutton Common, it is possible to take the 164 or 280 buses. To get to St Helier Station, S4 or 154.

• Full public transport details can be provided on request by contacting person above.