Save Huddersfield Royal Infirmary - the fight goes on

Huddersfield HRI protesters, 28.10.2017, photo Huddersfield Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)

Hands Off Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) staged its fifth major local protest on 6 October. Although not as big as previous demonstrations, around 150-200 turned out to show their ongoing support.

Many people wrongly assumed the hospital has already been saved so it was harder to secure a larger turnout.

However, hundreds of onlookers pledged their support when they heard the fight for all hospital services still has to be won.

Before the demo, we were addressed by Ruth Milsom from the Sheffield NHS Campaign. She told us that they had saved their walk-in centre after a hard-fought campaign similar to ours.

Likewise, we heard from the wonderful Chorley campaign that, after 130 weeks, is still fighting!

The demo itself snaked through the town centre and was met with applause and great generosity from everyone looking on.

Mike Forster, chair of Hands Off HRI, called for continued support. He said the legal challenge is still very much alive but now we need practical support from MPs and councillors who must stand up and be counted in this final stage of the fight.

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