Consultation on hospital a ‘Trojan horse’ ahead of future downgrades, say campaigners

Two days of protests were organised by Save Weston A&E this week to try to raise awareness about the emergency department’s future.

Scores of campaigners made their feelings known by protesting and chanting outside Weston Town Hall on Monday and the Winter Gardens on Tuesday.

Cllr Tim Taylor, speaking at last week's full council meeting before joining the protest, said: "The public consultation process was a Trojan horse for what will come later, which will see future downgrading and unstated proposals on recruiting GPs where there is already a shortage.

"The permanent overnight closure will have real life impacts on elderly and vulnerable people which we don't see measured by the health service."

MORE: Health bosses say they will not sell off Weston General Hospital.

The protests coincided with North Somerset Council's health overview and scrutiny panel's (HOSP) and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group's (CCG) meetings.

On Tuesday, Save Weston A&E organised a hearse to travel down the seafront alongside its march.

Steve Timmins, before the HOSP meeting, told councillors: "Weston General Hospital simply does not fit with the CCG's model of health care.

"The proposals are not in the interests of health care in this area.

"North Somerset is not some sad little back water where elderly people come to retire, we have an expanding and growing younger population."