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Protesters step up fight against cuts

Beatriz Ayala
10/10/2006

CUTS to services at Rochdale Infirmary will be put under the spotlight tonight (Weds) when campaigners stage a protest before the start of the Rochdale Council meeting at the Town Hall.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is urging protesters and local councillors to gather on the steps to voice their opposition to the loss of urgent accident and emergency care at the Infirmary.

Hundreds of residents are expected to show their strength of feeling at the lobby between 5pm and 5.45pm.

During the meeting a special motion will be passed urging the cabinet to draw up a 'campaign of opposition' against the cuts.

The motion, proposed by Mr Rowen and seconded by Conservative group leader Councillor Ashley Dearnley, both members of the Friends of our Hospital pressure group, 'notes the council's shock' at the decision to downgrade the Infirmary by turning it into a locality hospital.

They will call on the cabinet to support a judicial review of the decision.

Council chief executive Roger Ellis will also be asked to write to health secretary Patricia Hewitt to call in the decision and write to the town's MPs asking them to support the campaign.

Mr Rowen said the people of Rochdale should come together and register the fact they have not given up the fight.

He said: "I know many councillors have been involved in the fight to retain services at the Infirmary, but I hope that by the public joining in we can show our support for staff at the Infirmary who have been treated disgracefully.

"I expect Labour to support the motion and this should send a clear message this campaign is above party politics.

"I hope councillors, seeing Rochdale residents together, will be persuaded to back the motion.

"The people of Rochdale quite rightly expect their council to get involved in the campaign.

"This is a good opportunity to show the residents of the borough we mean business."