Campaigners prepare to march for NHS

NHS campaigners will march through Dewsbury.

The group, known as Walk for NHS, plans to take in four West Yorkshire hospitals, including Dewsbury and District.

The walk will begin at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax, finishing at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield via Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Dewsbury District Hospital on Friday and Saturday.

Organisers say the walk is in protest against cuts to services at the sites and privatisation of the NHS.

Walk for the NHS organiser Katherine Horner said: “I created the walk because I am concerned about the future of our NHS.

“On a national level, do I believe we should have a two tier health care system – one for the haves and one for the have nots?

“I don’t. But this is the way things are going unless we do something about it.”

The marchers begins on Friday at 9am. They plan to arrive at Dewsbury and District Hospital at around 6pm-6.30pm for a brief rally addressed by North Kirklees Green Party member Adrian Cruden.

The walkers will then begin again on Saturday, starting at Dewsbury Town Hall at 9am, with a speech from Dewsbury parliamentary candidate Paula Sheriff before making their way to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield at about 6pm.

Paula Sherrif said: “I’m marching for the NHS because I truly believe that it is our country’s greatest asset. It is the envy of the world and provides exceptional value for money.”