A MARCH in protest at the closure of a ward at St Cross Hospital is taking place this weekend.
Organisers say the march, which takes place through Rugby town centre on Saturday (October 26), is being staged to voice residents’ ‘displeasure and anger’ over the move.
The 25-bed Hoskyn Ward will close on December 4.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust has said the ward is being closed because patients from Coventry are no longer being sent there for treatment, and access to medical inpatient beds at the hospital will remain the same for Rugby and Warwickshire patients.
Rugby resident Yasmin Hensey said: “The march is to voice the displeasure and anger of the residents of an ever-growing and over-subscribed town to the latest move to close a much loved medical ward.
“The population of Rugby has doubled in size to almost 130,000 residents over the last ten years approximately. During this time, we have lost maternity, paediatric services and a functioning A&E.
“Locals have to travel over 12 miles to Coventry and endure huge waits to be seen.
“I would like to see the lack of facilities and infrastructure considered and reviewed in reference to our increasing population – and some of the damage this has done to our town addressed and remedied.”
Linda Crinigan, who is acting as an assistant on the march, said: “St Cross was taken over by UHCW some years ago with a promise to continue to serve the people of Rugby and surrounding area.
“This promise has not been upheld. Rugby has no maternity, no children’s, and the A&E department was downgraded to an urgent care centre.
“Rugby is the fastest growing town in the country. We need more services to provide healthcare to the town, not less.”
A UHCW spokesperson said the closure of Hoskyn Ward would not affect patients from Rugby, adding: “Following the introduction of a pathway for Coventry patients that avoids the need for them to transfer to Rugby, the Trust has seen a significant reduction in the demand for transfers to St Cross.
“It is important to note that access to medical inpatient beds will remain the same for Rugby and Warwickshire patients at St Cross.
“For Coventry people, it will mean the end of lengthy admissions in Rugby. The decision is designed to support people to be more independent closer to home, utilising care from community teams.”
The Trust’s chief executive Professor Andy Hardy added: “This planned change does not mean less access to medical beds for Rugby and Warwickshire patients – we remain fully committed to offering more services and investing into the future of the Hospital of St Cross.
“Our Improving Lives programme is helping us to identify patients who could avoid hospital admission and be better supported through community services.”
Rugby MP John Slinger said he would raise residents’ concerns in a meeting with the CEO and Chair of UHCW, and seek more detail about plans for healthcare provision at the hospital.
He added: “I will report back to my constituents and will inform ministers of any ongoing concerns.
“I had a constructive meeting with the CEO of the Integrated Care Board. He assured me there are no plans to reduce services at St Cross, and in fact there are plans to expand them.
“We also discussed the ongoing review of urgent care in Warwickshire. I made it clear that Rugby residents expect an improved service at St Cross, including doctor-led urgent care.
“I was assured that a decision about the structure will be taken next year and that the review is about improving local services and understanding the needs of the people of Rugby.”
Assembly for the march on Saturday (March 26) will take place at Whitehall Recreation ground at 10.30 am. The march will begin at 11am, travelling along Whitehall Road, Clifton Road, Church Street, North Street and into Caldecott Park where speakers will address the crowd.
A new petition to ‘Save Our St Cross’ has been launched. Visit www.change.org/p/save-our-st-cross for more information.
