Rally against hospital cuts

2:07pm Saturday 1st December 2012 in Local

A RALLY against proposed job losses and the closure of Bolton’s A&E department was held on Saturday.


About 250 people braved the cold to attend the demonstration, organised by unions and the Save Bolton A&E group.


Speakers made impassioned speeches, in Cheadle Square, Bolton, before placard-waving campaigners marched along Le Mans Crescent.


Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has announced 500 jobs could be lost as it tries to make £38 million savings in the next two years.


The rally was in response to the cuts at Royal Bolton Hospital and also a Greater Manchester-wide healthcare review, called Healthier Together, which the unions believe could threaten Bolton’s A&E department.

Comments (12)

4:51pm Sat 1 Dec 12

tourmaline says...

I had the misfortune to slip on the ungritted pavement of Cheadle Square
on Saturday. I fractured my wrist and got the bus to A and E.They took care of me and gave me a temporary cast. I must go back on Monday to get it pinned.I would urge ALL residents of Bolton and district to fight the cuts and give the staff at our hospital their much needed support. They do a very good job.
I had the misfortune to slip on the ungritted pavement of Cheadle Square on Saturday. I fractured my wrist and got the bus to A and E.They took care of me and gave me a temporary cast. I must go back on Monday to get it pinned.I would urge ALL residents of Bolton and district to fight the cuts and give the staff at our hospital their much needed support. They do a very good job. tourmaline

11:50pm Sat 1 Dec 12

thealexweb says...

When people or organisations complain about a service being cut or scaled back then should be compelled to say what their alternative would be, an extra 5% of everyone's income tax maybe, suddenly the cuts don't seem so bad...
When people or organisations complain about a service being cut or scaled back then should be compelled to say what their alternative would be, an extra 5% of everyone's income tax maybe, suddenly the cuts don't seem so bad... thealexweb

10:59am Sun 2 Dec 12

RiClare says...

tourmaline wrote:
I had the misfortune to slip on the ungritted pavement of Cheadle Square on Saturday. I fractured my wrist and got the bus to A and E.They took care of me and gave me a temporary cast. I must go back on Monday to get it pinned.I would urge ALL residents of Bolton and district to fight the cuts and give the staff at our hospital their much needed support. They do a very good job.
Could you have imagined having to get a bus then a train, maybe also a taxi to the nearest A&E. Trying to get to an ill loved one it will be terrible for Bolton residents and for areas round us we need our A&E. I just hope those who are not concerned or want it closed do not have the misfortune to need it and it be too late.
[quote][p][bold]tourmaline[/bold] wrote: I had the misfortune to slip on the ungritted pavement of Cheadle Square on Saturday. I fractured my wrist and got the bus to A and E.They took care of me and gave me a temporary cast. I must go back on Monday to get it pinned.I would urge ALL residents of Bolton and district to fight the cuts and give the staff at our hospital their much needed support. They do a very good job.[/p][/quote]Could you have imagined having to get a bus then a train, maybe also a taxi to the nearest A&E. Trying to get to an ill loved one it will be terrible for Bolton residents and for areas round us we need our A&E. I just hope those who are not concerned or want it closed do not have the misfortune to need it and it be too late. RiClare

12:02pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Kaewyed says...

thealexweb wrote:
When people or organisations complain about a service being cut or scaled back then should be compelled to say what their alternative would be, an extra 5% of everyone's income tax maybe, suddenly the cuts don't seem so bad...
Doesn't seem so bad, I hope you never have to try and travel if the Royal Bolton A&E does close. Not everyone has transport or knows someone who has. The Implications of closing this Dept. and/or the Abulance Service could be Catastrophic.

Before this Unelected Tory Government gained power, they stated the NHS was. "Safe in their hands." Total lies,If they could they would Privatise everything. This situation is caused by Cutting funding to the NHS. Their Political speak says they are spending more, another lie. This Isn't just happening in the Gt. Manchester area, It's happening all around the UK in NHS Trusts.

One of the frightening things is some people believe them and also the Apathy some people have. It's God help us if the Tories win the next General Election with a Majority of seats. I am no fan of the Lib/Dems but at least they have kept a slight reign on the Tories.

Maurice.
[quote][p][bold]thealexweb[/bold] wrote: When people or organisations complain about a service being cut or scaled back then should be compelled to say what their alternative would be, an extra 5% of everyone's income tax maybe, suddenly the cuts don't seem so bad...[/p][/quote]Doesn't seem so bad, I hope you never have to try and travel if the Royal Bolton A&E does close. Not everyone has transport or knows someone who has. The Implications of closing this Dept. and/or the Abulance Service could be Catastrophic. Before this Unelected Tory Government gained power, they stated the NHS was. "Safe in their hands." Total lies,If they could they would Privatise everything. This situation is caused by Cutting funding to the NHS. Their Political speak says they are spending more, another lie. This Isn't just happening in the Gt. Manchester area, It's happening all around the UK in NHS Trusts. One of the frightening things is some people believe them and also the Apathy some people have. It's God help us if the Tories win the next General Election with a Majority of seats. I am no fan of the Lib/Dems but at least they have kept a slight reign on the Tories. Maurice. Kaewyed

2:48pm Sun 2 Dec 12

boltonnut says...

I saw list of probable lay offs in the BN last week,the vast majority seemed to be real workers no mention of management,as ever we wil have more chiefs than indians if you wil pardon the expression.
I saw list of probable lay offs in the BN last week,the vast majority seemed to be real workers no mention of management,as ever we wil have more chiefs than indians if you wil pardon the expression. boltonnut

5:06pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Brumas says...

Just imagine the largest town in England without an A&E or perhaps a Hospital?
The Hospital is being shown to be running at a loss, so that it can be closed. Then bought for peanuts by a profit making organisation, who will make a profit, by exploiting both the staff and patients to make that profit. If we do not learn that the Tories are never to be trusted with the welfare of this country, or anything else for that matter. They should never see government again, full stop. EXPLOITATION is their game.
Just imagine the largest town in England without an A&E or perhaps a Hospital? The Hospital is being shown to be running at a loss, so that it can be closed. Then bought for peanuts by a profit making organisation, who will make a profit, by exploiting both the staff and patients to make that profit. If we do not learn that the Tories are never to be trusted with the welfare of this country, or anything else for that matter. They should never see government again, full stop. EXPLOITATION is their game. Brumas

5:08pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Brumas says...

Just imagine the largest town in England without an A&E or perhaps a Hospital?
The Hospital is being shown to be running at a loss, so that it can be closed. Then bought for peanuts by a profit making organisation, who will make a profit, by exploiting both the staff and patients to make that profit. If we do not learn that the Tories are never to be trusted with the welfare of this country, or anything else for that matter. They should never see government again, full stop. EXPLOITATION is their game.
Just imagine the largest town in England without an A&E or perhaps a Hospital? The Hospital is being shown to be running at a loss, so that it can be closed. Then bought for peanuts by a profit making organisation, who will make a profit, by exploiting both the staff and patients to make that profit. If we do not learn that the Tories are never to be trusted with the welfare of this country, or anything else for that matter. They should never see government again, full stop. EXPLOITATION is their game. Brumas

10:05pm Sun 2 Dec 12

davroduk1 says...

If Bolton A+E closes then you will be taken to Salford.
You really dont want to be taken to Salford in my experience.
The place is too big, with even the staff not knowing where the departments are.
I am not saying that Bolton A+E is fantastic, but the alternative is even worse.
If Bolton A+E closes then you will be taken to Salford. You really dont want to be taken to Salford in my experience. The place is too big, with even the staff not knowing where the departments are. I am not saying that Bolton A+E is fantastic, but the alternative is even worse. davroduk1

10:56pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Citizen Cane says...

Only one taxpayer commenting on this story I see. Everyone else should get real and accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that taxpayers money does not grow on trees. This shower has been spending way over budget which results in losses and that is not sustainable. In any event 20/25% of public sector spending is borrowed and that is not sustainable either.

Whilst closing A&E may not be the answer, some services must be cut : which ones?
Only one taxpayer commenting on this story I see. Everyone else should get real and accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that taxpayers money does not grow on trees. This shower has been spending way over budget which results in losses and that is not sustainable. In any event 20/25% of public sector spending is borrowed and that is not sustainable either. Whilst closing A&E may not be the answer, some services must be cut : which ones? Citizen Cane

10:56pm Sun 2 Dec 12

Kaewyed says...

davroduk1 wrote:
If Bolton A+E closes then you will be taken to Salford. You really dont want to be taken to Salford in my experience. The place is too big, with even the staff not knowing where the departments are. I am not saying that Bolton A+E is fantastic, but the alternative is even worse.
The Royal Bolton treats people from the Gt. Manchester area too. This is why no-one can understand why Any Dept. should be closed.

IMHO, there is a lot more to this than meets the eye, meetings that have taken place behind closed doors. I am talking Westminster, you can't trust this Tory Government.

In the R/B they have brought in a Private Company to turn around the the monthly overspend which they Say is around 1.2 million, but is it ?. It is rumoured the Representative from the Private Company is just an Hatchet man.

With any luck, before any of this is finalised, this Government will be out. The problem is at one A&E in Manchester. They walked in on the night shift and stated from that point it would be closed.
[quote][p][bold]davroduk1[/bold] wrote: If Bolton A+E closes then you will be taken to Salford. You really dont want to be taken to Salford in my experience. The place is too big, with even the staff not knowing where the departments are. I am not saying that Bolton A+E is fantastic, but the alternative is even worse.[/p][/quote]The Royal Bolton treats people from the Gt. Manchester area too. This is why no-one can understand why Any Dept. should be closed. IMHO, there is a lot more to this than meets the eye, meetings that have taken place behind closed doors. I am talking Westminster, you can't trust this Tory Government. In the R/B they have brought in a Private Company to turn around the the monthly overspend which they Say is around 1.2 million, but is it ?. It is rumoured the Representative from the Private Company is just an Hatchet man. With any luck, before any of this is finalised, this Government will be out. The problem is at one A&E in Manchester. They walked in on the night shift and stated from that point it would be closed. Kaewyed

4:41am Mon 3 Dec 12

oftbewildered2 says...

Citizen Cane wrote:
Only one taxpayer commenting on this story I see. Everyone else should get real and accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that taxpayers money does not grow on trees. This shower has been spending way over budget which results in losses and that is not sustainable. In any event 20/25% of public sector spending is borrowed and that is not sustainable either.

Whilst closing A&E may not be the answer, some services must be cut : which ones?
perhaps the bean crunching department for starters - things started to get worse when the Government damanded specific targets and statistics and of course people had to be employed to collect these and devise ways of meeting them etc. etc. etc.
[quote][p][bold]Citizen Cane[/bold] wrote: Only one taxpayer commenting on this story I see. Everyone else should get real and accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that taxpayers money does not grow on trees. This shower has been spending way over budget which results in losses and that is not sustainable. In any event 20/25% of public sector spending is borrowed and that is not sustainable either. Whilst closing A&E may not be the answer, some services must be cut : which ones?[/p][/quote]perhaps the bean crunching department for starters - things started to get worse when the Government damanded specific targets and statistics and of course people had to be employed to collect these and devise ways of meeting them etc. etc. etc. oftbewildered2

8:52am Mon 3 Dec 12

Willow311 says...

Citizen Cane wrote:
Only one taxpayer commenting on this story I see. Everyone else should get real and accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that taxpayers money does not grow on trees. This shower has been spending way over budget which results in losses and that is not sustainable. In any event 20/25% of public sector spending is borrowed and that is not sustainable either.

Whilst closing A&E may not be the answer, some services must be cut : which ones?
No such thing as a free lunch!!
Someone should tell the politicians as they claim their free lunch from the tax payer......
The math is simple, government cuts budget to NHS, then tells hospitals we need more for less....more patients to be seen,Higher targets to be met and oh we want you to be in profit also.
Even the bankers (who by the way are mostly public sector workers now) could work out what happens next.....people die because hospital departments close.
As a tax payer I would rather my taxes go to saving a persons life, than stuffing the wallets of the greedy bankers.
I have to agree that something must give....lets make that something the super rich, who shift money around the world to avoid paying their share to this country.
And after that perhaps challenge all the businesses making money in this country and shipping it out without paying a penny in tax.
But no the government targets the vulnerable as usual.
And you can't get much more vulnerable than People in need of the NHS.
[quote][p][bold]Citizen Cane[/bold] wrote: Only one taxpayer commenting on this story I see. Everyone else should get real and accept that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that taxpayers money does not grow on trees. This shower has been spending way over budget which results in losses and that is not sustainable. In any event 20/25% of public sector spending is borrowed and that is not sustainable either. Whilst closing A&E may not be the answer, some services must be cut : which ones?[/p][/quote]No such thing as a free lunch!! Someone should tell the politicians as they claim their free lunch from the tax payer...... The math is simple, government cuts budget to NHS, then tells hospitals we need more for less....more patients to be seen,Higher targets to be met and oh we want you to be in profit also. Even the bankers (who by the way are mostly public sector workers now) could work out what happens next.....people die because hospital departments close. As a tax payer I would rather my taxes go to saving a persons life, than stuffing the wallets of the greedy bankers. I have to agree that something must give....lets make that something the super rich, who shift money around the world to avoid paying their share to this country. And after that perhaps challenge all the businesses making money in this country and shipping it out without paying a penny in tax. But no the government targets the vulnerable as usual. And you can't get much more vulnerable than People in need of the NHS. Willow311

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