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BACKING the ‘hands off’ campaign ... Paul Scoles, with his wife Claire carrying one of their three Rochdale-born children
England hero slams maternity closure plan
26/ 4/2006
A WORLD-famous footballer has described plans to shut Rochdale Infirmary's maternity unit as 'disastrous'.
Manchester United's midfield star Paul Scholes, whose children were born at the Infirmary, is backing the Hands Off Our Hospital campaign.
And the father-of-three, who lives in Grasscroft, Oldham, is urging local residents and football fans to get behind the campaign.
The 31-year-old former England international said he has been closely following plans for Rochdale Infirmary and the Observer's campaign.
The campaign culminated last week with about 80 protestors going to 10 Downing Street with thousands of signed petitions against plans to scrap maternity, neo-natal and children's services.
Plans are also in place to cut urgent accident and emergency care, turn the Infirmary into a locality hospital and create an Urgent Care Centre.
Mr Scholes described Infirmary staff as 'fantastic' and urged residents to fight for their right to give birth locally.
He said: "My children were born at Rochdale Infirmary and the staff were absolutely fantastic.
"I have been keeping a close eye on what is happening at Rochdale and the thought of the maternity unit closing down would be disastrous for everybody in the area.
"I urge everyone to back this campaign and fight for what should be every mother's right, to give birth at their local hospital."
About 37,000 signatures have so far been collected by the Observer, as well as through the hard work of the Friends of Our Hospital pressure group, Infirmary midwives and local community groups.
Residents are being urged to have their say on the proposals by filling out formal consultation forms and handing them in before the deadline of Friday 12 May.
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19/06/2006 at 22:10