A campaign to save children's services at Rochdale infirmary, led by the Rochdale Observer, looks as if it's on the verge of success. The paper reports that the the strength of public support for its "Hands Off Our Hospital" campaign has resulted in new proposals to ensure that the infirmary's maternity, neo-natal and children's services will remain in place. Several new options are to be considered by the authorities at a December meeting. Thousands of protesters joined the Observer's campaign, which culminated in a 40,000-signature petition being delivered to Downing Street.
Another campaign against hospital cuts, in Kendal, resulted in a march, despite torrential rain, by 6,000 people through the town centre. Many held posters produced by the Westmorland Gazette, which has campaigned since the beginning of the year against the closure of wards at Westmorland general hospital.
And the Hull Daily Mail reports the successful conclusion to its "Hands Off Our Hospitals" campaign after the Yorkshire Wolds and Coast primary care trust changed its mind about closing Hornsea cottage hospital's inpatient ward. (Via Rochdale Observer, Westmorland Gazette and Hull Daily Mail)
