WEST CORNWALL HEALTHWATCH

 PRESS COMMENT: MONDAY 6TH MARCH

 PENWITH STANDS UP FOR THE NHS

 On Saturday, people across west Cornwall took to the streets in a wave of action starting from the most south-westerly tip of Cornwall and continuing up to Truro.  At 9am, approaching one hundred people gathered in the Square in St Just, simply to “make a stand for the NHS”.  Accompanied by a local group of singers who poignantly sang “All we are saying is give the NHS a chance”, the residents of St Just and Pendeen stood with banners to send their resolute message. 

At 12 noon the message was repeated, this time in Penzance, where over two hundred people walked from the Humphry Davy statue to the railway station, led by the Golowan Band.  The procession stretched all the way down Market Jew Street, and was accompanied by cheers, waves and car horns of support along the route.

 At the conclusion of the procession, some boarded a train to travel to Truro for the afternoon march and rally.  They were entertained at Penzance Railway Station by the Golowan Band until the train departed. 

Throughout the day, common messages emerged: the NHS is underfunded, not overspent; community hospitals are vital; care in the community just isn’t in place; services need to be accessible; people in the west are passionate about keeping and extending services at West Cornwall Hospital. 

Members of West Cornwall HealthWatch, who supported the events, said afterwards: “Today saw the people of west Cornwall flexing their muscles and preparing for what could be coming.  Those of us who live here in the west are probably the most passionate in the whole country about our NHS, and have a proven track record going back twenty years in fighting for it.  We are also the most vulnerable to cuts and closures, being at the end of the line, and our message came across clearly today.”

Marna Blundy

Coordinator

West Cornwall HealthWatch