ANGRY campaigners gathered outside Dorset's CCG offices to protest against proposals to change Dorset County Hospital’s pediatric services.

The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has unveiled plans that could include sending children, who need long-term care or who are seriously ill, to Bournemouth or Poole.

There would also be one baby unit for the county – in east Dorset.

The Bridport & Lyme Regis News has launched a campaign to safeguard the services at Dorset County Hospital.

Protestors said their demonstration on Friday will be the first of many and had a very clear message:‘Save our Wards.’ Lousia Yates, 29, a mother-of-three who is also three-months pregnant said families would suffer if the changes went ahead.

She said: “It’s ridiculous, appalling and disgusting, we need to be with our children.”

Sarah Tompkins, 29 from Portland, was sent to a hospital in Taunton due to a lack of room at DCH when her daughter was born prematurely. She said: “When I was in Taunton it was hard being separated from everyone, I wouldn’t inflict that on my worst enemy, let alone mums.”

The protest started outside Vespasian House in Dorchester the group then moved to outside the CCG offices at the back of the building.

Charles Summers, CCG director of engagement and development, and Sara Bonfanti, engagement and communication lead, stepped outside the offices to take questions from the crowd.

Naomi Patterson, a mother who moved from Weymouth to Dorchester to be close to the hospital for the benefit of her son who suffers from a range of life-threatening illnesses, said: “Why is my son fighting every day to be here when you’re planning to take this hospital away?”

Among the people that fired questions at the director, Dente Yates, aged five, raised his hand and asked Mr Summers: “Why are you taking the children’s ward away?”

Supporting the protest, Nicky Dear told the CCG members: “We’re not going to go away, we’re going to get bigger and stronger.”

Mr Summers was unable to answer the groups’ multiple questions and concerns but took details from members and said he would give them their answers within a few weeks.

He also invited a small number of protestors to come inside and discuss their concerns.

Mr Summers said: “We recognise the views that have been expressed here.

“I think what we have heard are strong views in the community town and we are working hard to make sure that these are understood in full.”

West Dorset author Anthony Holt is also backing the campaign because three of his grandchildren needed intensive treatment in DCH.

He said had they had to travel 30 miles to Poole or Bournemouth for treatment they might not have survived.