PROTESTERS flooded the streets of Guildford on Saturday to voice their fierce opposition to plans to shut The Royal Surrey County Hospital. Around 6,500 people turned up for the rally, organised by South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt and Guildford MP Anne Milton - a staggering 13 times more than the predicted attendance of 500. The march saw Guildford's city centre reduced to a standstill as campaigners packed the High Street to hear several speeches from politicians, campaign officials and union representatives - with Mr Hunt warning health chiefs: "You ain't seen nothing yet." And after the rally Mr Hunt assured campaigners that this was just the first step in saving the Guildford hospital. He said: "Saturday was a momentous occasion which brought the whole community together. People of all backgrounds, of all ages and from all political parties. "The rally just showed that everybody from across the board believes that these plans to close the Royal Surrey are nothing short of catastrophic. "I firmly believe that the turnout alone will send a strong message to Patricia Hewitt - however, this is just the start. "We in Surrey will be doing everything in our power to save our hospital and we will not let this government ride roughshod over the strength of feeling towards the Royal Surrey. "This is just the beginning of the fight." The rally was attended by politicians from the three major parties, as well as representatives from trade union UNISON, independent campaigners, the Royal College of Nurses and the Royal College of Midwives. Save the Royal Surrey Campaign chairman Professor Chris Marks said: "This rally shows that the people of Surrey overwhelmingly reject any attempt to close their hospital. "The fact that as many as 6,500 people gave up their Saturday lunchtime and dodged the rain showers to support their local hospital will give a massive boost to all those who work or are treated at the Royal Surrey. "The message to Patricia Hewitt is clear - don't close our hospital. "Our campaign does not begin and end with the rally. We are determined to make the Strategic Health Authority and PCT listen to the overwhelming opinion of local people and abandon the damaging plans to close the Royal Surrey." Robert Knowles, a spokesman for Haslemere Hospital's League of Friends, added: "Closure of accident and emergency services at the Royal Surrey would put lives at risk, particularly in the outlying areas around Haslemere, and we fully support the campaign." During his speech, Mr Hunt assured the crowd that this was a cause backed by all of the major political parties, and that Surrey should unite to the cause. He branded the situation that Surrey's NHS finds itself in a "crisis" before slamming the old Guildford and Waverley PCT for a "sham consultation" over the hospital's future. He added: "We were promised the PCT would listen. They lost the clinical argument. They lost the financial argument. They lost the democratic argument. But we lost our hospital. "Never again will we be fobbed off with a sham consultation." Mr Hunt explained how an 84-year-old blind woman who injured her leg in Milford was told she could only be taken to Frimley - which, he claims, is evidence of health chiefs massaging figures about the need for an A and E at the Royal Surrey. He went on to add that Surrey residents only get £1,100 per person from the government for health care, £200 lower than the national average. He said: "I came into politics last year to change the NHS. I didn't think I would be fighting to save it. "But save it is what we have to do. Not just Anne and I but every single one of us. "This is just the start. It will be the mother of all campaigns. I have just five words for Patricia Hewitt and our health bosses. "You ain't seen nothing yet." Saturday also saw a second march to save the hospital, organised by retired paramedic Ken Callanan. Mr Callanan is currently collecting signatures for his Surrey Petition in an effort to change health bosses' minds. Copies are available at the Haslemere and Farnham Herald offices, Dragon Print in Wey Hill, and Sainsbury's in Farnham and Liphook. Another march over the threatened closure of the hospital is being organised in Grayshott for this weekend. Villager Dick Smith is urging businesses, groups and residents of Grayshott to join him on the rally tomorrow (Saturday). Meeting at the village square at noon, the march will head towards the A3 before heading along Crossways Road and back to the village square. Mr Smith told The Herald he felt villagers should make their own statement on the issue. He said: "Over the years, hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved at this marvellous hospital thanks to the work and expertise of all the doctors, nurses and other staff. "But sadly, the health bosses in the South East seem adamant that this valued hospital could be one of the victims in their cost-cutting exercise. "The sad reality is patients could have to travel for more than 70 minutes to reach their nearest A and E. If this happens there is no doubt that lives will be lost. "And, of course, what other departments might follow if this initial action should happen? It already has a fantastic record for the treatment of cancer. "Do we want any of this put in jeopardy?" Mr Smith is urging everyone to join the march, and wants people to make up appropriate banners for the event.
