A HUGE crowd took to the streets of Dorchester to protest against proposed changes to children’s services at Dorset County Hospital.

It is estimated that more than 1,000 people took part in the News-backed march through the centre of town to show support for the hospital’s Kingfisher Ward and Special Care Baby Unit.

Copies of our ‘Hands off our Wards petition’ were available to sign at the event, and many people took the opportunity to put their names down.

Campaigners chanted ‘Save our wards’ and ‘What do we want? Kingfisher. When do we want it? Now!' as the march wound its way through the town to the Borough Gardens. Traffic was stopped to allow marchers to pass by.

Healthcare services are under threat as part of a review of local health services being carried out by the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

As part of the Clinical Services Review, it is recommended that children who have serious illnesses or need long-term care would have to go to the east of the county.

There would also be just one Special Care Baby Unit – again, in the east.

Under the proposals, a Paediatric Assessment Unit would be established at the Dorchester hospital.

It is stressed that no decisions have yet been made and a consultation is being held so people’s views can be heard.

Families who have used the service were joined by councillors, hospital governors and other concerned local people as they marched from Top O’ Town down through South Street to the Borough Gardens.

A large crowd gathered at the car park with more people joining the march as it wound its way through town.

Speeches were made by the likes of march organiser Naomi Patterson, whose son George regularly needs care at DCH, and Councillor Ros Kayes, at the bottom of South Street and at the Borough Gardens.

Speaking at the march, Mrs Patterson was delighted with the turnout and the pressure it will put on the CCG.

She said: “I'm really delighted, it’s unbelievable really.

“I’m not surprised in another way. The two wards mean so much to so many people.

“It’s good to see so many communities come together.

“We’re not stopping here, we’re planning a meeting for our next step. It’s about getting the CCG To change the proposal before August. That’s what we’re aiming for.”

The campaigners hope to meet with the CCG in the next two weeks to discuss getting the proposals changed.

West Dorset District Cllrr Ros Kayes was also pleased with the turnout.

She said: “It’s just stupendous, it shows people really, really feel strongly about this.

“The CCG have got to listen and take it out of their proposals. It is just not acceptable.”

Protesters, who were singing and chanting throughout the day, gathered at the end of the march in Borough Gardens for picnics and to hear speeches.

Speaking at the bottom of South Street to the public, Dorchester town crier and local campaigner Alistair Chisholm, said: “If you look at the county of Dorset, Dorchester is right in the middle. It is the most sensible place to have and keep all the units necessary.”

Throughout the day there was singing and chanting along with an array of banners as campaigners tried to make sure the CCG could not ignore their demands.

Police who had been looking after the protest said the march was peaceful with no trouble reported.

THE Bridport News launched a campaign last month to protect children’s services at Dorset County Hospital.

It came after we revealed the children’s ward and SCBU at the Dorchester hospital were at risk in a major overhaul of the county’s healthcare services.

The campaign backs residents who want to keep the ward open, keep the care of children in West Dorset local and save the children’s ward which has saved the lives of so many others.

Many parents who have used the services joined the march on Saturday and shared their stories with the News of why SCBU and Kingfisher are such vital services and should be kept locally.

Paula Jolliffe from Bridport attended the march to show her support as her son was cared for at SCBU. She said: “I am amazed at the turnout today. I feel so passionately about this cause and I am so glad that so many people feel the same way.“My son was in SCBU in 2010 and was very poorly.

“The staff were absolutely amazing.

“To get from Bridport to Bournemouth will be such a weight on the family.”

Racheal Hussey from Dorchester said: “My daughter was born at 26 weeks old and was in hospital for months. If the hospital had been further away I know she wouldn’t have survived the trip.”

Bron Dickenson, whose son Dominic was diagnosed with leukaemia at a young age was also out backing the campaign.

She said: “If they go through with it, it’s going to cause real problems long term.”

Warren Jones and his partner Steph Wright who live on Portland said: “Today is just the tip of the iceberg. The proposals are terrible. It is putting people’s lives at risk and it is outrageous.”