Red, green and purple flags descended on Burton town centre today, Saturday, August 5, during a protest over the proposed merger between Burton’s Queen’s Hospital and Royal Derby Hospital.

Chants of “no ifs, no buts, no NHS cuts” and “who’s NHS, our NHS!” rang around the town from around 30 campaigners from East Staffordshire Trade Union Council, Unite Community and Burton’s Keep our NHS Public branch, among others.

A hospital bed was used to lead the way as it was carried from Belvoir Road, next to Queen’s Hospital starting just before mid-day. It was pushed through the town centre by protesters to the Washlands, where a rally was held and a list of guest speakers addressed the crowd.

The march took the protesters past Burton's rail station

The campaigners raised a number of concerns about the proposed hospital merger, which chief executives of Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Helen Scott-South and her counter-part at Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Gavin Boyle have confirmed would see Derby “acquire” Burton.

The plans to merge the two hospital trusts had been unveiled at a public meeting called to discuss the proposals on July 4, where it was also confirmed that final plans would be submitted and reviewed by late 2017.

Calls were made for an end to the proposed hospital merger
Calls were made for an end to the proposed hospital merger

Affected hospitals include the Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital, in Burton, along with a number of community hospitals under the respective trust umbrellas, including Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital in Tamworth and Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, in Lichfield which belong to the Burton trust.

Among the marchers who had to brave heavy rain where members of the public service trade union UNISON and the Women against State Pension Inequality, WASPI group.

Syed Hussain took part in the march
Councillor Syed Hussain took part in the march

Speaking at the event, Councillor Syed Hussain, who represents the Anglesey ward on East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people here. This is really something I feel strongly about as it obviously affects my constituents.

“To get from Anglesey to Derby hospital, it costs £17, some of these people struggle to pull together £30 for a weekly shop.”

Protesters gathered at the Washlands, in Burton to listen to guest speakers
Protesters gathered at the Washlands

The group had gathered outside Queen’s Hospital in Burton at 11am. They walked along Belvedere Road onto Dallow Street, then to Waterloo Street, Barkley Street, Derby Street and along Station Street.

When the group eventually arrived at the Washlands, a crowd was formed and they listened to passionate speeches from guest speakers, like Lee Baron, the regional secretary of the Midlands TUC (Trades Union congress), Sarah Carpenter, the national health officer for Unite union and Steve Thompson, executive from Unite’s national committee. They gave their views on what the impact of merging the two hospital trusts could be.

Unite community membership took part in the march
Unite community membership took part in the march

Mr Thompson commented on claims made by the hospital trusts that no services will be lost at Queen’s Hospital. He said: "We’ve all heard it before; we heard it in Telford and we’ve heard it in Nuneaton. The NHS is ours; leave it alone.”

The afternoon was closed by Leicester-based folk-singer Grace Petrie, who has performed at Glastonbury and events to support Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Throughout the day, six main concerns were raised and repeated by the protesters, which were:

  • Potential loss of services at Burton Hospital;
  • Any threats to staff jobs;
  • Terms and conditions concerns;
  • ‘Lack of transparency in the process’;
  • ‘Increased levels of privatisation’;
  • Poential for pressure on hospital services at both Burton and Derby.
The march passed some of Burton's most famous places, including the factory of Molson Coors, on the high street
The march passed some of Burton's most famous places, including the factory of Molson Coors, on the high street

Chief executives from Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were aware of the march and the concerns that have been raised by campaigners.

In response, a spokesman said: "The planned merger of our two organisations is something we feel strongly will benefit local people in Burton, as it will enable us to secure and improve the quality of core NHS services at Queen’s Hospital, including A&E.

"And of course, we see the merger benefits extending to the Derby and South Staffordshire populations too. We really welcome people’s comments, opinions and questions on the plans, as any change like this must reflect local views and the best interests of the local populations we serve."

They also said both trusts were eager that as much information about the merger is made readily available and is accessible for all. A full copy of the outline business case can be viewed online at www.burtonderbycollaboration.co.uk