HEALTH campaigners in Wyre Forest are urging people to join a national day of action in support of the NHS.

Members of Wyre Forest Labour are hosting ‘Fix Our NHS’ in front of Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday (February 3) at 11am.

It is one of national events taking place across the country, including a similar demonstration in Worcester organised by ‘It’s Our NHS Worcestershire’, aimed at highlighting challenges the health service is facing in terms of funding and high levels of demand.

Labour will also use the “Fix Our NHS” event to promote the campaign in which they are working with the parents of disabled children to ‘Save Ludlow Road’ NHS Respite Centre.

The Centre is threatened with closure, and the petition which has gained nearly 8,000 signatures, will be available for members of the public to sign to show that they too want it kept open.

Stephen Brown of Wyre Forest Labour said: “The purpose of Saturday’s ‘Fix our NHS’ event in Kidderminster is for people to come and support our NHS.

“It is the people’s NHS and only the people can save it from the current crisis by demanding the Government provide the funding it needs.

“We call upon the people of Wyre Forest, whichever way you vote, to come at 11am to show you care about our NHS.

“Locally, we have seen the impact of NHS underfunding with the closure of Harvington Ward at Kidderminster Hospital.

“We’d also like to see more services at Kidderminster as we know wards and beds are unused and it would better serve the local community and reduce the problems at Worcester to open them up.

“This is not a partisan event because we support Dr Richard Taylor’s calls for a doctor at Kidderminster Minor Injuries Unit to take the load off Worcester Royal’s A&E.

“Saturday also provides the opportunity for local people to come and find out more about Ludlow Road NHS Respite Centre and why it needs to be saved.

“Many services rely on the cooperation of the NHS with Councils like Worcestershire County, yet at a time of financial restraint, they seem to have their heads stuck in silos ignoring the consequence of closure on other services in the NHS and care system.

“It doesn’t make any sense, but we say by working together better, it is our view that local services like Ludlow Road, which serves the whole County and beyond can be saved.

“We know Wyre Forest people care about our NHS and Saturday is an opportunity to come and show it.”

Worcestershire County Council is currently running a consultation on the future of Ludlow Road with one option being possible closure.