Burstow & Brake: Thousands expected to join march on St Helier

10.30.13am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 20th Nov 2006

Paul Burstow and Tom Brake, MPs for Sutton and Cheam and Carshalton and Wallington respectively, have expressed their delight at the level of support for their campaign to safeguard the future of St Helier hospital and local NHS services.

The two MPs, who will lead a march in protest against cuts and closures at the Hospital on Saturday 25th November, have already received many messages of support from local people. Hundreds have already signed a petition calling on the government to guarantee that the services provided by St Helier will continue to be offered in future.

Mr Burstow and Mr Brake also spoke of their hope that attendance at Saturday's protest march and rally would be the biggest demonstration in the borough's history. A recent protest against the closure of the A&E department at Epsom Hospital, managed by the same trust as St Helier, was attended by nearly 5,000 people.

Commenting on the response to the campaign so far Tom Brake MP said:

"Sutton residents have really responded to our campaign: local people are clearly angry, confused and upset by the regular announcements of budget cuts and bed closures in the local NHS."

Speaking of his expectations for Saturday's rally, Paul Burstow MP, said:

"We have every reason to expect a huge turnout on Saturday - I think people really want to let the government know that they will not take news of cuts and closures lying down."

Notes to Editors:

The petition reads:

"I / we the undersigned, call on the Secretary of State for Health to guarantee that the full range of existing healthcare services used by people in Sutton will continue to be provided within the Borough and that St Helier is able to continue to offer the full range of services available for Accident and Emergency."