Protest against bed closures to take place outside Marlow Community Hospital on Wed 5th Apr 2017

On Wednesday 5th April 2017 the SaveWycombeHospital campaign group is to hold a protest against bed closures that have taken place recently at Marlow and Thame Community Hospitals.

The protest will take place from 6.30pm to 6.50pm outside Marlow Community Hospital, 1 Victoria Rd, Marlow, SL7 1DJ.

From Saturday 1st April 2017 Marlow and Thame Community Hospitals lost twenty overnight beds as part of a 6 month ‘pilot’. It is feared that similar measures may be rolled out to other community hospitals. The protest will be recorded by the local BBC.

Anyone wishing to show their support for keeping the services and to stand up for vulnerable people in our community is invited to attend the event. As part of the protest those in attendance will be asked to put their hand up in the ‘stop’ position and shout out ‘hand back our hospitals’ for the BBC cameras which will be present.

Community hospitals provide essential rehab and palliative care in the community, making it easier for people to visit their loved ones, many whom don’t drive. SaveWycombeHospital believe the beds are being closed without proper public consultation.

Further information and links to the full closure document as well as some arguments against the closure can be found at https://savewycombehospital.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/marlow-and-thame-pilots-letter-to-councillors/.

A related petition (organised by SaveWycombeHospital) can be found at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/no-further-downgrades-of-buckinghamshire-s-hospitals-including-community-hospitals.

Information on the protest scheduled for Wednesday 5th April 2017 can be found at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/events/protest-against-bed-closures-at-marlow-thame-for-bbc-news.