Caerphilly says ‘bring back our A&E!’

Caerphilly Socialist Party

Over 200 determined campaigners marched through Caerphilly town centre on Saturday 16 February, demanding the return of a local A&E.

At the front of the march, young Jack Tibbett and his friend Ricky Denatale marched alongside the campaign banner with placards bearing a photograph of Jack’s third cousin once removed: Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan with his fist in the air. Nye was Labour’s health minister when the NHS was founded in 1948.

The significance was not lost on the crowd. Caerphilly comes under the Aneurin Bevan Health Board. It was the old Caerphilly Miners Hospital – and its A&E – that we lost when the new hospital was opened a year ago.

The local press carried massive articles about Saturday’s demonstration. We’ve also had TV coverage. Cerith Griffiths, chair of the Fire Brigades Union in Wales, brought the support of firefighters in the area.

People blame their councillors – of whatever party – for not warning them about the plans for the new hospital. But that’s the past.

The campaign is giving them a chance to redeem themselves. We’re calling on them to back our call for Caerphilly borough council to hold a referendum, so we can vote on whether we get our A&E back.