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Campaigners march over NHS cuts Campaigners march over NHS cuts
(30 minutes later)
A march and rally against plans by health bosses to reorganise hospital services is taking place in Haywards Heath, East Sussex. Protesters claim up to 14,000 people have taken part in a demonstration over plans by health bosses to reorganise hospitals in West Sussex.
Organisers said they hoped it would be the largest in the county to date, with protesters turning out in thousands. Organisers say the turn out in Haywards Heath made it the largest NHS demo in the county to date.
Under NHS restructuring, only one of three West Sussex hospitals will remain a major general hospital, the county's primary care trust (PCT) has said.Under NHS restructuring, only one of three West Sussex hospitals will remain a major general hospital, the county's primary care trust (PCT) has said.
The PCT said centralising services would make more expertise available. Singer Vera Lynn was among those who took part in the protest.
West Sussex has hospitals in Worthing, Haywards Heath, and Chichester.West Sussex has hospitals in Worthing, Haywards Heath, and Chichester.
'Inspiring campaign''Inspiring campaign'
The protest on Saturday was to show opposition to downgrading A&E and maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath. The protest on Saturday was to show opposition to downgrading Accident & Emergency and maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
Campaigners said 70,000 people had now signed their petition, thousands had attended public meetings, and 180 GPs had spoken out against the plans.Campaigners said 70,000 people had now signed their petition, thousands had attended public meetings, and 180 GPs had spoken out against the plans.
Speakers at Saturday's rally were listed as including doctors, MPs, campaigners, and TV personality Jimmy Hill, who lives in the Mid Sussex village of Hurstpierpoint. But the PCT said centralising services would make more expertise available.
Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames said the continuing fight by residents was "inspiring" and the rally was "another major opportunity for people to show their total opposition" ahead of the conclusion of the public consultation in mid-November.Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames said the continuing fight by residents was "inspiring" and the rally was "another major opportunity for people to show their total opposition" ahead of the conclusion of the public consultation in mid-November.
The rally comes a week after several hundred people took to the streets of Uckfield to show support for the Princess Royal Hospital, in Haywards Heath, and Uckfield Community Hospital.The rally comes a week after several hundred people took to the streets of Uckfield to show support for the Princess Royal Hospital, in Haywards Heath, and Uckfield Community Hospital.