Hundreds show support for Town and County Hospital at candlelight vigil

HUNDREDS turned out to show their support to save the Town and County Hospital in Wick over fears for its future at a candlelight vigil.

Over 400 people gathered within the hospital grounds to shine their lights in support of the hospital being saved.

The protest organised by the Friends of Town and County Hospital comes as NHS Highland are reviewing health services in Caithness sparking fears the hospital's future is in doubt.

Reverend John Nugent of St Fergus Church led the five minute protest as people lit candles and switched on torches and mobile lights calling for the hospital to be saved.

“Wick folk are strongly committed to their community. “Bairns in prams to grannies and grandads have shown their support at the vigil. “There is distrust in the whole consultation process, which is flawed. “The people in this county deserve much better.”

Caithness Health Action Team vice-chairman Iain Baikie fears what will happen to the patients that are served by the hospital. “The people who have Alzheimer’s and dementia – where will they go?” he said. “Putting these patients anywhere but hospital is wrong. “This is the place in Caithness that we want to stay.

Watch the protest and read more in the Caithness Courier.

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