CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect services at Dorset County Hospital are calling for a show of support for all areas of the hospital amid fears the maternity unit could come under threat.

The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is due to go out to consultation in the New Year on the future of services in the county and proposals emerged earlier in the year that could see children's inpatient services transferred to Bournemouth or Poole.

Now fears have been raised that maternity services in Dorchester could see a cut in hours with the service transferred to the east of the county outside of those hours.

The CCG confirmed that professional bodies had been to the county town hospital to review maternity, neonatal and paediatric services, but added that no outcomes had yet been decided and said speculation on what could be proposed as a result would be "unhelpful".

Campaigners are now calling for a show of support as they stage a second march through Dorchester on December 12.

A previous march attracted more than 1,000 people and this time round there will be a festive feel to events.

Naomi Patterson, whose son George is a regular visitor to the Kingfisher children's ward at Dorset County Hospital, said there will be a Father Christmas and his sleigh, musical entertainment and people in fancy dress.

She said: "We just want to make it really Christmassy really for the children and to make our point."

Children who are regular visitors to the Kingfisher Ward will be at the front of the march and they are hoping to set up a stage at the bottom of South Street for the entertainment.

Around 500 people have already confirmed on Facebook that they will be attending the event.

Naomi said she wanted to thank local businessmen Chris Naylor and Shaun Hearn for their support of the event and all those who are helping with the organisation. 

People are asked to meet for the march at the Top O'Town car park from 11am and it will set off at 11.30am, heading down High West Street and along South Street before speeches and entertainment at the bottom of town.

Zumba instructor Lou Sams will be joining the march with a number of girls from her classes and will lead the crowd in a bit of zumba.

Bridport councillor Ros Kayes, who is supporting the campaigners and will speak at the march, said she had heard nothing official about the threat to the maternity ward but called for a show of support for all services provided by the hospital at the march.

She said: "A reduction of services in one area could threaten the viability of other services.

"We want people to know the campaign is still going."

The campaigners are planning to hold a collection at the march. Funds raised will go towards the costs of a judicial review if the final outcome sees services transferred from Dorchester.

If the outcome does not require a legal challenge, the funds will go directly to the Kingfisher Ward.

Contingency plan for doctors' strike

EMERGENCY services will not be affected by a planned strike by junior doctors.
Dorset County Hospital has issued a statement ahead of the planned strike on December 1.

Patients have been reassured that all hospital departments have contingency plans and if appointments have to be cancelled, they will be given as much notice as possible.

A spokesperson for DCH said: “Our priority is minimising the impact any strike action has on our patients. All our departments have contingency plans in place and our aim is to run as many services as normal as possible.

“We can reassure people that emergency services will be unaffected and we have robust plans ready to ensure the continuing safety and care of patients in hospital.

“If we do have to cancel any outpatient appointments or planned surgery we will give patients as much notice as possible.”

Junior doctors voted in favour of a strike in a row over a new contract, with 98 per cent voting for full industrial action.

The strikes will be held from 8am on December 1 to 8am on December 2, from 8am to 5pm on December 8 and from 8am to 5pm on December 16.