Over a hundred protestors gathered at Southport hospital today to voice their anger at the current state of the NHS during a visit by Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt.

He's arrived at last to loud boos pic.twitter.com/haiV1sdbXL

— Roving-eye (@rovingsouthport) 22 August 2017

Despite recent reassurances from the town's Conservative MP, Damien Moore, that the hospital is safe, many people are unconvinced that it will remain untouched given the current local review of its services.The review comes as a result of the Tories' Sustainability and Transformation Plan, which is looking to make over £900 million worth of savings.

Another major reason for the scepticism is Jeremy Hunt himself who, despite his denials, is widely seen an advocate of privatisation and most recently was also severely criticised by world-renowned scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, for his claims regarding increased mortality rates at weekends.

Chanting "Ban the Hunt" and "Save the NHS" protestors demanded that Mr Hunt resign and claimed that he was deliberately underfunding and undermining the NHS in an effort to ease the path to privatisation.

As Mr Hunt's black Jaguar swept past there were loud boos and jeers.

The protest was organised by Southport Labour Party whose Chair, Mhairi Doyle, said:

"No-one is fooled by Jeremy Hunt's claims to be a supporter of the NHS. He literally co-wrote the book calling for it to be dismantled and replaced with a US-style private insurance system. The Tories simply cannot be trusted with the NHS."

Local protestors were joined by hospital staff, trade union members from the GMB and Royal College of Nursing, as well as the campaigning group Keep Our NHS Public.

"It's a joint protest because we all need to come together to protect one of our most vital national resources," said Mhairi Doyle, "The damage the Conservatives are causing is deliberate, it has to stop. Mr Hunt needs to realise that and realise it quickly."

Nice to see Mr Hunt get the welcome he so thoroughly deserves... I'm led to believe some junior doctors gatecrashed the invitation only meeting he had inside too, I expect they were just as effusive in their greetings.

Hunt is deliberately ruining the NHS so as to make it ripe for privatisation.

Good for the protesters! Hunt will ignore them, but protest raises awareness.

OTS exaggerating the numbers again - "over 100 protesters" !! - more like 20, maybe 30 tops !!

Originally Posted by Ruler!1

OTS exaggerating the numbers again - "over 100 protesters" !! - more like 20, maybe 30 tops !!

Sorry to contradict you, but the protestors were counted and did number over 100. I know because I was there and I was one of those doing the counting.

Originally Posted by Ruler!1

OTS exaggerating the numbers again - "over 100 protesters" !! - more like 20, maybe 30 tops !!

Would it be an exaggeration to say that the number of Tory supporters who turned up was 0?

Originally Posted by Mr. Brightside

Would it be an exaggeration to say that the number of Tory supporters who turned up was 0?

They're usually working, meanwhile the great unwashed can turn out to do a bit of pointless yelling.

When did we loose children A&E. I think it was under a labour government. Who put in place PFI, labour.

Originally Posted by 2112

Hunt is deliberately ruining the NHS so as to make it ripe for privatisation.

Good for the protesters! Hunt will ignore them, but protest raises awareness.

What absolute tripe. I have experienced NHS services both as an inpatient and outpatient at this hospital together with support from local GPs and Chemists. Absolutely 100%.People have been marvellous.Certainly not "ruined" Rather than waving banners these people should get off their politically inspired high horses and maybe spend a little time helping others like those lovely volunteers at Southport hospital or raise some money for one of the many medical charities.

Originally Posted by dav

They're usually working, meanwhile the great unwashed can turn out to do a bit of pointless yelling.

Really? Strange that there's so many Tory fanboys and fangirls posting on here throughout normal working hours. I assume they must all be retired but also housebound if none of them could manage to get down to show one of their cabinet ministers their support.

Originally Posted by ainsdale local

What absolute tripe. I have experienced NHS services both as an inpatient and outpatient at this hospital together with support from local GPs and Chemists. Absolutely 100%.People have been marvellous.Certainly not "ruined" Rather than waving banners these people should get off their politically inspired high horses and maybe spend a little time helping others like those lovely volunteers at Southport hospital or raise some money for one of the many medical charities.

Let's hope someone volunteers to take you to Aintree when Hunt closes Southport A&E. I would but I'll be too busy fighting the Tories!

Originally Posted by Polly Trott

Let's hope someone volunteers to take you to Aintree when Hunt closes Southport A&E. I would but I'll be too busy fighting the Tories!

No doubt you were equally busy fighting the Labour government in 2003 when Milburn/Reid transferred under 16 A&E services to Ormskirk