Thousands march to save Stafford Hospital

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Stafford to protest over threatened cutbacks to acute services at Stafford Hospital. Protesters say they fear the cuts will lead to losses of life and will put other local hospitals under strain.

Protesters filled the Market Square and many surrounding streets, they marched to the hospital approximately one mile away.

For years Stafford has faced criticism over poor standards of care, which has been blamed for hundreds of patient deaths.

But marchers say the hospital has greatly improved and the threat of acute services being moved elsewhere will leave people in the town in danger.

The hospital is currently in special administration the administrators say they are aware of the strength of feeling locally and are setting up public meetings to hear people's views.