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| Campaigners march over NHS cuts | Campaigners march over NHS cuts |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| About 14,000 people have taken part in a demonstration over NHS plans to reorganise West Sussex hospitals, campaigners and police have said. | About 14,000 people have taken part in a demonstration over NHS plans to reorganise West Sussex hospitals, campaigners and police have said. |
| Organisers say the turn-out in Haywards Heath made it the largest NHS protest in the county to date. | Organisers say the turn-out in Haywards Heath made it the largest NHS protest 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. |
| Singer Vera Lynn was among those who took part in the protest. | Singer Vera Lynn was among those who took part in the protest. |
| She told the assembled crowd: "We need our hospital. We must have it, and it is essential we fight for it." | |
| 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 Accident & Emergency and maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in 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. |
| We will be keeping many services in our local hospitals John Wilderspin, PCT | We will be keeping many services in our local hospitals John Wilderspin, PCT |
| But the PCT said centralising services would make more expertise available. | 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. |
| After the protest in Uckfield, PCT chief executive John Wilderspin said: "We will be keeping many services in our local hospitals and increasing the amount of care we provide in GP surgeries and patients' own homes. | After the protest in Uckfield, PCT chief executive John Wilderspin said: "We will be keeping many services in our local hospitals and increasing the amount of care we provide in GP surgeries and patients' own homes. |
| "We are proposing to develop a major general hospital for West Sussex, providing specialist services such as a main A&E department, the consultant led maternity unit and emergency surgery." | "We are proposing to develop a major general hospital for West Sussex, providing specialist services such as a main A&E department, the consultant led maternity unit and emergency surgery." |