Campaigner to explain how hospital cuts will hit South Holland

A campaigner from SOS Pilgrim - Call to Action will be in Spalding on Tuesday raising awareness about cuts in women's and children's services at the Boston hospital.

Mum Emma Wilcock will be in Sheep Market, handing out leaflets and urging residents to sign a petition to persuade health bosses to restore lost services.

Cuts include downgrading the children's ward to an assessment and observation unit, so children needing hospital care for more than 12 hours are transferred to Lincoln.

Maternity changes include Pilgrim managing births of 34-plus weeks gestation, when previously it was 30.

Emma says young patients and mums-to-be will be in far-away hospitals, and families will need to travel to be beside their loved ones.

The mum of four said: "Sadly people, even in Boston, don't understand the implications of a closed children's ward.

"It seems people in Lincolnshire have a bit of a misunderstanding of what is actually happening at Pilgrim and they don't understand the ripple effect on other services."

South Holland residents traditionally look to three hospitals, Pilgrim, Peterborough and King's Lynn, but campaigners point out there is no guarantee of beds being available at the nearest hospital - and pressure on other hospitals will increase as services are lost to Pilgrim.

The campaigners have organised a family-friendly, "Stride with Pride" march in Boston on Sunday, September 23, together with awareness raising. The event runs from 12pm-3pm. It starts in Central Park and the march takes place at 1pm.