Some activists, with hidden agendas, have sought to rewrite the facts behind the CARES – organised fight to reinstate our town's lost hospital survives. Therefore, here is some archive material from that stormy period. CARES have saved all data for posterity from that time.
THE SOUTHPORT PROTEST MARCH - The day that Southport said: NO!
Sunday 17th August 2003
The local population showed the NHS Trust bosses just what they thought about their crazy cuts in our children's and maternity services when thousands of protesters joined forces in a massive show of strength. 14,365 signatories on petitions were later delivered to Mark Winstanley of the Primary Care Trust and Andrew Johnson of the NHS Trust.
Pictures from that eventful day, back in 2003...
Marchers crossing Eastbank Street Bridge
Marchers heading up Scarisbrick New Road
Numerous marchers joined in, flooding our ranks through the Southport streets. Later estimates put the figure at about four thousand people.
Meols Cop Fields
Mark Winstanley, Chairman of Southport & Formby PCT, finds humour in the situation after being presented with petitions from over 14,000 residents.
Cath Regan, flanked by Angela Weatherby of the CARES Steering Group, addresses the NHS bosses on behalf of the local populace.
Andrew Johnson (NHS Trust) struggling with thousands of petitions
The weather held out for us and the turnout was tremendous with thousands of supporters taking to the streets with homemade banners and signs.
Although the final estimation of numbers is not yet completed, police have mentioned to us that possibly over ‘three thousand’ attended. When the frontline of marchers reached the top of Eastbank Street Bridge the procession stretched right back to Lord Street and beyond. Mums, dads, grannies, granddads, aunts and uncles all came out with their children to show the NHS Trust that we ‘demand’ our children’s and maternity services returning now.
A Cry of: “What do we want - our services back - when do we want them –now,” echoed through the lines of marchers.
New marchers joined in all along the route to end up at Meols Cop Field. A delegation from the Steering Committee then walked over to the Hospital and children presented Andrew Johnson & Mark Winstanley (NHS bosses) with 14,365 names on petitions against the cuts.
Members of the Steering Group informed the Trust’s leaders that we demand our services back and that we are will continue to protest and work against their transferral of our vital services. We will ‘not’ be appeased by half-way compromises such as a proposed new Minor injuries unit to replace our lost services.
The CARES Steering Group would like to thank the following for their support:
The Daily Post for coverage.
Peter and Liz Eaton of Junes Balloons for their kind donation and Katie for her assistance.
Dune FM for coverage and support.
The Southport Visiter and Formby Times.
McDonalds for refreshments.
Holmeswood Coaches.
Saint Johns ambulance.
The Sewing Basket, Formby.
All leaflet and poster makers.
The Image Centre for tee shirts and flyers.
John Price for all kind Support.
Johnsons for the flatback truck.
Police & Sefton Council.
Everyone who came along to the march.
The Richmond pub for use of facilities.
Safeway & Tesco for permitting us to collect petitions in their stores.
The Stewards.
Our campaign will continue until the NHS trust ‘really’ listens to the people they are supposed to serve!
Angela Weatherby (left) & Cath Regan Co-chairs, CARES Steering Committee.
Addendum
CARES PETITION FACTS
At Southport hospital (Sunday 17th August 2003) during the CARES – organised march, of an estimated 4,000 protesters, 14,365 names on petitions against the cuts were presented to Mark Winstanley of the PCT and Andrew Johnson of the NHS Trust. When the frontline of marchers reached the top of Eastbank Street Bridge the procession stretched right back to Lord Street and beyond. Petitions however flooded in past this date. By 13 November 2003 CARES had received 18,532 petitions.
Pat Regan ©
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