People march against hospital cuts

They marched to protest at proposed hospital cuts.

Several hundred gathered at Uckfield Community Technology College at about 10am but their numbers swelled as they marched down the High Street and turned into Luxford Field.

Some carried placards or banners, some pushed buggies, some were in wheelchairs, but all were united in their opposition to Trust bosses' plans to axe maternity and A&E services at the Princess Royal Hospital and vital medical beds at Uckfield Community Hospital.

The march was organised by Wealden MP Charles Hendry who led it in tandem with the Bishop of Lewes, the Right Reverend Wallace Benn.

At Luxford Field marchers heard impassioned speeches,

The Mayor of Uckfield, Cllr Louise Eastwood, said: 'This town is growing. We're going to have more housing. All these people will need medical treatment at some point.'

Bishop Benn's statement that 'people's lives matter more than financial meddling' drew a cheer of approval from the crowd.

He believed peoples' lives would be at risk if the hospitals were downgraded.

Buxted GP Dr Clarissa Fabre - who pioneered the proposal that GPs should offer their services free at Uckfield community Hospital - asked why something that worked so well should be broken.

Fears about what would happen to standards of healthcare if the Princess Royal lost its A&E department were expressed by Wealden MP Charles Hendry.

He said the decision to focus maternity and A&E on the already busy Royal Sussex and Conquest hospitals would strain ambulance services and isolate country communities. 'What sort of a country is it where you have to have your doctors working for free to keep your hospital open?' he asked.