Save Huddersfield NHS
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Save Huddersfield NHS is a broad based campaign against the Kirklees and Calderdale NHS Trust Board's proposals to close St. Lukes Hospital and transfer services (including maternity care) from Huddersfield to Halifax and Wakefield, led by Dr. Jackie Grunsell. The campaign was initially formed after a public meeting organised by the Huddersfield branch of the Socialist Party (England and Wales) .
The campaign has organised, amongst other things, a mock-ballot on the issue, three demonstrations (with the largest being over 2000 people) and a petition signed by over 60,000 people. One of its key demands was for Kirklees Council to organise a referendum, allowing the people of Huddersfield to decide upon the issue. When the council declined to undertake this, the campaign stood three candidates in the local government elections of 2006. Dr. Grunsell was elected to the council with a majority of 800, after declaring her campaign to be a referendum on the local council. [1]
The campaign linked up with others across the country through the 'People United Saving Hopsitals' (PUSH) umbrella group, who called for a national demonstration on Saturday 3rd March 2007 against all NHS cuts. They already had the support of AMICUS, 'Keep Our NHS Public' and two regions of UNISON. PUSH has previously organised a united day of action across the country on 15th December 2006 against NHS cuts. [2] Several political and revolutionary parties/groups became involved, including Socialist Party (England and Wales), Workers Power, the Conservative and Unionist Party, the Liberal Democrats (Britain), Spiked! Online which developed out of the Revolutionary Communist Party (Furedi), and the International Socialist Group.
The campaign is currently aiming to stand another candidate in this years local elections in Crosland Moor & Netherton.
