Gregory Mouat, Gloucestershire Socialist Party
Saturday 6 April saw around 300 people march through the centre of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, against plans to reduce night time staffing at the town’s A&E.
Following the march, rally speakers included Unite Community South-West regional organiser Brett Sparks, Trevor Hall from Unite Gloucestershire, Robin Clapp from Bristol and District Anti-Cuts Alliance, Sue Powell from Gloucestershire Against Cuts, and local resident Carmella Walker-Bishop.
A statement from Shaun Clarke of the local ambulance service explained that the proposed reductions would mean patients being taken to the already stretched Gloucester A&E, or even further afield to Bristol or Worcester.
Carmella said that a recent University of Sheffield study found that each extra 10km travelled would increase the risk of patient fatality by 20%.
There were calls for a national demonstration to defend the NHS. An overwhelming majority raised their hands when Trevor asked who supported a 24-hour general strike.