Disruption warning over NHS march

An NHS protest saw 14,000 people turn out in Haywards Heath

Warnings of disruption and road closures have come from a council ahead of a march by health campaigners.

Chichester District Council is backing Saturday's demo and said high numbers of protesters were expected.

The council said it was "an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the strength of support for St Richard's Hospital".

Under NHS restructuring, only one of three West Sussex hospitals will remain a major general hospital, the county's primary care trust (PCT) has said.

West Sussex has hospitals in Worthing, Haywards Heath, and Chichester.

Consultation on NHS restructuring in the county is in its final weeks.

We will be keeping many services in our local hospitals John Wilderspin, PCT chief

Council leader Myles Cullen said he was urging as many people as possible to take part in the march, and to write to health chiefs to make their voices heard.

The march is getting under way at Chichester College at 1100 BST and the rally will take place in Priory Park.

PCT chief executive John Wilderspin has said: "We will be keeping many services in our local hospitals and increasing the amount of care we provide in GP surgeries and patients' own homes.

"We are proposing to develop a major general hospital for West Sussex, providing specialist services such as a main A&E department, the consultant led maternity unit and emergency surgery."

On 13 October, 14,000 campaigners turned out for a demonstration in Haywards Heath.

Singer Vera Lynn was among those who took part, and organisers said the turn-out made it the largest NHS protest in the county to date.