The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) holds a further protest on Saturday (Oct 17) against the closure of the NHS Bitterne Walk-in Centre.
TUSC says 73% of people taking part in a consultation about the NHS facility opposed closure. They are calling on the public to lobby Itchen MP Royston Smith (Con) and council leader Simon Letts (Lab) to “hold them to their promises”.
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Tweeting about the decision previously Royston Smith described it as a “sad day”:
A really sad day for health services in the Southampton Itchen Constituency http://t.co/eJgBcSA19h
— Royston Smith (@Royston_Smith) September 30, 2015
“Many of my constituents said they felt the consultation was a sham and they believed the decision was already made. They will now feel their concerns were justified,” he previously told bitternepark.info.
Former Itchen MP, Labour's John Dehham responded to Smith's tweet:
@MarkerJParker @Royston_Smith As Labour MP I opened Bitterne NHS walk in centre; New Tory MP sees it shut. 'Sad day' indeed
— John Denham (@JYDenham) September 30, 2015
You can see the full exchange on Twitter here.
TUSC campaigner Nick Chaffey has asked why the decision isn't being referred to the secretary of state for health, and has previously told bitternepark.info:
“TUSC continue to reject the assertion of the CCG that Walk-In services are duplicated through the existence of Pharmacy First and the NHS 111 service. These are not services providing health professional nurse or GP advice and is not what we pay our taxes for.”
The protest takes place from noon on Saturday at the Bitterne Walk-in Centre.
Previously: Decision to close NHS Walk-in Centre slated