PEOPLE power has seen nearly 1,000 concerned protesters take to the streets of Haverfordwest today in a “now or never” bid to save Withybush Hospital.

Milford Mercury:

PICTURE: Martin Cavaney.

The people of Pembrokeshire are standing side by side supporting their hospital, which has injected a new wave of energy into the Withybush campaign with campaigners from across all walks of life joining forces to unite once and for all against the proposed closures at Withybush.

Organisers are calling for a ‘Summer of action’ against Hywel Dda’s plans, kicking off at Haverfordwest Football ground this morning, June 16.

Milford Mercury:

Campaigners assembled for a huge protest march through Haverfordwest town centre.

Milford Mercury:

PICTURE: Martin Cavaney.

Prior to the event, a spokesman said: “Over 22,000 have joined the Save Withybush Facebook group and almost 23,000 have signed the petition so we know there is massive support among the people of Pembrokeshire to save our hospital. Now we just need everyone to turn out this Saturday and show Hywel Dda Health Board that we mean business and that they will not get away with closing our A&E or any of the vital services at Withybush.”

Milford Mercury:

Colin Bell and Susan Bell of Merlin’s Bridge were just two of the many taking part in today’s march.

“We need this hospital. A civilised society looks after their sick and needy,” Said Colin.

“We are being completely neglected and we have got a virtually new hospital which is far superior to Glangwilli.”

Susan added: “We had a wonderful neonatal care unit and now it is gone. Lives could be lost if other services are removed.”

Milford Mercury:

PICTURE: Jason Davies.

Phil and June Morgan of Slade Lane, Haverfordwest, also raised their concerns.

“I was born in Angle – think of them travelling from there or from St Davids to St Clears or even to Carmarthen for healthcare. It is much too far,” said Phil.

Campaigner Heather Scammell explains the importance of the march.

Olivia Atkinson, a Labour member in the crowd, said there was a need to fight the proposals.

“It is important to be here because we are opposing the degrading of Withybush. We have Hobson’s choice on our hands. The three choices all involve downgrading. It is not a choice we want to make. We want a proper one.”

Milford Mercury:

PICTURE: Jason Davies.

Rita and Steve Webb, of Haverfordwest, stressed the need to retain Withybush.

Rita said: “We have got to save this hospital, especially our A&E. It is such an important thing to us.

“As it is now, Carmarthen is so far away, whatever happens they will be sending people there.

“We have the refineries here and if anything happens down there what will people do?

“We at least need this hospital until they build another one that is up and working.”

Steve said: “I have had to transport my elderly father to Carmarthen from Haverfordwest because there are not facilities up there for him. It needs investment here.”

Alex and Jeff Rowley of Milford Haven also emphasised the importance of Withybush.

“We have got children and they are talking about moving the A&E further away from us. That is worrying as it increases the amount of time to get to A&E for us and to make plans to prepare if we needed to go there,” said Alex. “There are also people living in the area many miles out from Milford and Haverfordwest.”

Jeff said: “The A40 is also not very good – it needs improvement.”

Milford Mercury:

PICTURE: Martin Cavaney.

Chris Green of Haverfordwest said: “I have an ongoing medical condition. To have to go further afield to Carmarthenshire every month would add so much time and would be very costly for me.”

In a bid to ensure that as many people can join the family friendly march organisers have been working day and night behind the scenes to organise a family fun day which will follow the demonstration at Haverfordwest Football Ground.

The marching crowd returns to the football ground after parading through Haverfordwest.

There will be live music, mini food fest, a crafts tent for children and countless other attractions on offer, including: Kids Fun Marquee with free activities, rides and attractions; face painting; hair-braider; jugglers and circus skills; kids Arts and crafts activities; save Withybush poster painting competition with fantastic prizes, including: Oakwood tickets, Manor House Wildlife Park, Heatherton etc; rock painting; wooden heart decorating; slime making; card making for Father’s Day; fancy dress competition; bouncy castle and inflatables; fairground style attractions and games; bungee trampolines; Dave Hitchcott Magician; Little Monsters Children’s Show. and much more.

There will be a Mini Food Fest, Pure West Radio’s Toby Ellis running the stage and broadcasting live throughout the day along with some of the best bands and singers Pembrokeshire has to offer, stalls selling crafts and hand made products.

The day will go on until 5pm Pure West Radio who will be running the music stage and who will also be covering the day’s events.

Milford Mercury:

PICTURE: Martin Cavaney.

A spokesman added “The support from local businesses and people all round the county has been incredible, we have put ‘shout outs’ on social media for things like musicians and children’s entertainments for the fun day and the offers have just come flooding in. With support like this we really can save our hospital.

“These proposals are not and will not ever be safe for the people of Pembrokeshire. We must fight these proposals with everything we’ve got if that means taking the fight to Hywel Dda then that’s what we’ll do. Saturday’s Rally will be the first of many actions this summer, so watch this space for what’s to come!”