Public urged to march in protest against Wirral hospital plans (From Wirral Globe)

Public urged to march in protest against Wirral hospital plans

3:30pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News By Craig Manning

Arrowe Park Hospital

WIRRAL people are being urged to join a public demonstration against plans to transfer vascular services from Arrowe Park Hospital to Chester.

Organised by Wirral TUC, the march will take place on Saturday, September 29.

NHS Wirral stirred a hornets’ nest after its board voted to move the centre for vascular services from Arrowe Park to the Countess of Chester Hospital.

The scheme had been mired in controversy since it was announced last July with Wirral councillors and MPs voicing their opposition.

Protestors against the move are hoping to have it declared invalid by seeking High Court permission for a judicial review. The legal procedure requires a judge to question whether the decision "makes sense".

The request for review was made by Merseyside TUC president Alec McFadden.

He has already called for the resignation of NHS Wirral chief executive Kathy Doran, claiming she “flagrantly” ignored the views of Wirral people attending consultation meetings and a petition of more than 2,000 names who signed in protest at the switch to Chester.

Alec McFadden, Secretary of Wirral TUC, said: "Whatever the chief executive of Arrowe Park Hospital claims, the reality is that the plans would see fewer special doctors taking care of patients.

"Bosses are trying to hide their failure to protect our vascular services in Wirral."

The demonstration will start at the Cherry Tree pub entrance opposite Landican Cemetery at 11am.