1,000 could join march to protest at Telford A&E night closure
More than 1,000 people have expressed an interest in joining a march to protest against the planned night-time closure of Telford's A&E.
The protest in Wellington will be held on November 4 and has been organised by the campaign group NHS4All and Telford & Wrekin Council.
A decision has been taken to close the A&E at Princess Royal Hospital overnight for at least six months due to staffing issues.
An event page called 'March for our A&E' has been set up on Facebook in protest to the decision made by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust's board.
More than 1,100 people say they are 'interested' in the march and over 280 have said they will be attending.
Further details of the event have also been released by Telford & Wrekin Council.
It will begin at noon from the Wellington Community Clock, with people asked to gather at New Street, Tan Bank, Walker Street or Market Street from 11am.
The route will go via Church Street, Vineyard Road, King Street, Whitchurch Road and Charlton School playing fields, through the side gate from Whitchurch Road.
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Those unable to walk the whole distance are asked to assemble at Charlton School and join campaigners for the last leg of the journey.
Drivers are asked to use the car parks at the leisure centre, Tan Bank and Wrekin Road.
The march will also show support for retaining the A&E department in Telford, as it faces being downgraded under the long-running Future Fit plans.
More than 22,600 people have also signed a petition asking the Government for a rescue plan to avoid the night-time closure of Telford's A&E.
It was launched by Telford & Wrekin Council’s leader Shaun Davies.
The planned overnight closure is expected to come in from next month but the trust says it could be avoidable in the 'short-term' if it is allocated an additional seven middle grade doctors and 15 A&E nurses.
SaTH says it has been speaking to NHS bosses and neighbouring trusts, while local politicians have made their own appeals.
Should the closure come in, it would be from 8pm to 8am each night.
There would be financial consequences for the trust through lost income.
It could cost SaTH more than £5 million in the worse case scenario.
The trust says any overnight suspension of A&E services will be kept under review.
