The Labour Party Conference heard today about the “amazing campaigners” who are fighting for a minor injuries unit at Kingswood’s Cossham Hospital.
Jo McCarron, who is standing in Kingswood for Labour at next year’s General Election, took the stand at the conference in Manchester and the focus of her speech was the re-formed Cossham Hospital Group, run by campaigner Reg Bennett.
The group fought to keep the hospital open and following its £19m refurbishment and reopening last year, is now fighting to get the minor injuries unit (MIU) that was included in the business plan.
Campaigners say that since Frenchay Hospital closed earlier this year, with services transferred to the new superhospital at Southmead, the case for a MIU at Cossham is ever more pressing.
However, South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group is rethinking whether to still have the unit as it considers the best way to provide urgent care in the district.
Ms McCarron told Labour delegates: “When Cossham Hospital reopened there were two empty rooms. The minor injuries unit was missing. It was promised, but it’s nowhere to be seen.
“But luckily we have an amazing group of campaigners – the Save Cossham Group. Together we have been working to make sure local people are heard.
“I have been blown away by the team’s hard work and determination. And even more than that, by the public response to our petition at street stalls, on the doors and at the meetings and rallies we have called.”
