Rallying cry for second NHS demo in Wick
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BE seen and make your voices heard is the message being put out by protestors against reductions to health services as they prepare to stage a second rally in the far north.
Caithness Health Action Team (Chat) is looking to double the 500 or so who took part in its Thurso to Wick bed push demo in October at Sunday’s visual impact event at Bignold Park in Wick.
Chat members are to take pictures of former patients who have received treatment over the years for a particular service at hospitals in Wick and Thurso.
They are asking people to position themselves in one of 10 categories: Caesarean sections; maternity emergencies; general gynaecology; emergency gynaecology surgery, general surgery, emergency general surgery, elderly care, outpatient clinics, paediatrics and specialist medical.
The health lobby is to use the photos to emphasise just how many have relied on the health services in Caithness.
Chat vice-chairwoman Kirsteen Campbell is urging anyone who has received treatment at local hospitals to come along and show their support for the fight to head off cuts to services.
She said it is an event which has fired the public’s imagination.
“Everywhere we go, people want to speak to us and tell us they will be attending,” she said.
“We had 500 people at the bedpush protest in October, but we hope there will be double that on Sunday.
“So much has changed since October and it is a topic which is on everybody’s lips.
“It is not just about maternity and gynaecology services – the protest is about all health services.”
The rally will begin at 2.30pm at Bignold Park. For more information, visit the Caithness Health Action Team Facebook site.
