Hospital staff appreciated

From: Mike Forster, Hands Off HRI.

HANDS Off HRI campaigners gathered outside Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to show their support and appreciation for all the hard-working staff in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. Personal messages of support had been collected from members of the public addressed to all the staff.

There were many heartfelt messages thanking the hospital and the staff for saving their lives or carrying out crucial operations. As ever, the campaign group was overwhelmed with the huge support expressed by so many people. Two campaigners were invited into the hospital to deliver not only the messages in person, but also many bags of food, chocolate and cake collected to distribute around all the staff. Campaigners were joined by Paula Sherriff MP for Dewsbury who delivered messages of support from all the area’s MPs. The hour-long presence outside the hospital took place despite terrible winds and torrential rain but spirits remained buoyant.

Our presence was to reassure staff that we will hold the Trust to account and will not allow them to get away with these latest shambolic ideas. We are drawing up our own detailed specialist case for full acute and emergency provision at HRI as well as Calderdale and we will use this evidence to pressure the Trust and Health Scrutiny Committee to ensure the resources are released to properly staff HRI.

We want to thank the staff and the wider public for their unflinching support for our campaign which will continue until we have won.