Case study - Guildford

Guildford rally

"Approximately 7000 people attended a rally in Guildford High Street on Saturday 21st October to protest against possible cuts to services in Surrey, including the potential closure of the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.

Thirty people from the physiotherapy department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital attended as well as other staff members, patients and members of groups such as 'Breath Easy' (a patient support group affiliated to the British Lung Foundation) - all wanting to demonstrate their support for the hospital.

A number of significant figures from the area were each given two minutes to speak, all presenting a united message - support for the Hospital and services across the county.

Ann Milton and Jeremy Hunt (Conservative MPs for Guildford) who were co-ordinating the campaign started the rally with the clear message that the people of Guildford are not willing to sit back and let their local hospital close. Peter Chesterton (Guildford Labour MP) also pledged support for the campaign.

Mick Moriarty from UNISON, one of the organisers, was pleased with the attendance at the rally, proving the community was united in opposing the cuts. He explained that north and west Surrey are facing some of the biggest cuts of health services in the country but people are determined to save the hospitals, re-enforcing the message that they want neither the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford or St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey to close.

As well as the members of Parliament for Guildford, MPs from the surrounding area also pledged their support for the campaign. Paul Beresford (MP for Mole Valley) urged everyone attending to write to Patricia Hewitt to express their opposition to the proposed cuts and Gerald Howarth (MP for Aldershot) vowed that "Gordon Brown will soon know where Guildford is" and voiced many people's opinion that it is inconceivable for a town like Guildford to be stripped of its hospital.

Finally, Professor Chris Marks (Chair of the independent campaign to save the Royal Surrey County Hospital and a surgeon at the Hospital) rounded off the rally by appraising many of the benefits and achievements of the Hospital, stating it is an excellent hospital with no justification for closure.

The rally was just the start of the campaigning against cuts to services across Surrey with a 'Thanksgiving' service and vigil planned as well as another rally in January 2007.

CSP members at the rally gave their thoughts on the day:

'It was inspiring to see the positive response from the local population' - Jenny Harrison

'The speakers were keen to promote the best aspects of the Royal Surrey County Hospital and the other local services' - Helen Blundell

'The sense of community spirit was overwhelming' - Sam Towers

'It was great to see a mix of staff and patients demonstrating their support for the Royal Surrey County Hospital' - Michelle Dawson"

Jenny Harrison, CSP member