LET’S get one thing absolutely straight. If chiefs at Shropshire Community Health Trust think they can close down one of only two wards at Ludlow Hospital without a fight they are wrong – very wrong.
It is heartening to see the petition launched by a Ludlow GP and it is reassuring to see doctors from the town stick their necks out and oppose these plans.
There is not a single shred of doubt that the closure of this ward, which is due to take place tomorrow, has been met with unified opposition.
The people of Ludlow do not want this and those making such decisions should hang their heads in shame for having the audacity to tell this community that the move will be good for patients, visitors and staff.
Let’s be absolutely clear about this – we are yet to hear from anyone who believes this will be good for those living in the town.
On the contrary, we have heard from some of the hospital’s strongest supporters who claim the trust is trying to close it by stealth.
If this is the case those in charge would do well to cast their minds back to the last attempt to close Ludlow Hospital a decade ago.
Differences evaporated and every side of the political spectrum came together to defend the hospital.
Our Tory MP Philip Dunne marched at the front of one of the biggest protests ever seen in the town alongside the former Lib Dem MP Matthew Green.
The people of Ludlow are thoroughly fed-up with the concentration of cuts within the county being focussed on Ludlow and south Shropshire.
Our message to trust bosses is quite simple.
Do not even think about closing our hospital bit by bit in the hope no one will notice.
There will be opposition at every juncture and protests at every turn. You will not win.