Independents for Newark and District hold a march for urgent care at Newark Hospital
Those appealing for 24-hour urgent medical care to return to Newark will be putting their best foot forward this weekend.
Independents for Newark and District will hold a Walk for Urgent Care (WFUC) this weekend, to demonstrate support for a 24-hour urgent care service.
The walk will be held on Saturday (October 19), and will start at 10am in Newark Marketplace and proceed to Newark Hospital.
It aims to demonstrate the support from Newark and wider community for urgent care services to be available 24 hours a day.
There will be a WFUC market stall in Newark Market from 10am to 12 noon, with WFUC T-shirts for sale for £10.
Newark Urgent Care Centre was closed overnight from 10pm to 9am during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In March this year, NHS leaders extended the opening hours to 8am-10.30pm following feedback from residents, stakeholders, and healthcare experts – despite most people calling for 24-hour care to be reinstated.
Campaigners will also be surveying people on their experiences and thoughts about Newark’s Urgent Treatment Centre's opening hours.
Susan Crosby launched a petition — which attracted more than 2,300 signatures — requesting extending the opening hours of Newark Hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre from 9am to 9.30pm to be open 24 hours, seven days a week.
Susan said: “After our successful first protest walk on Sunday, June 16, we still want to have back what we used to have, especially now Newark’s population is growing rapidly.
“Thousands of houses have been built and occupied in and near Newark over the last five years.
“Many families, and the elderly especially, find it impossible to get to Kings Mill, Grantham, or Lincoln Hospitals outside the Newark UTC opening hours.
“Much more housing is being built to the south of Newark, also at Fernwood, Farndon and Southwell. Where are these people to go with GP’S surgery appointments often being by telephone only and weeks to wait to see a GP or nurse?
“The NHS and other health infrastructure in Newark cannot cope now with the demands of our population growth.
“So, I’m asking people to come out on a Saturday for a couple of hours and collectively get their voices heard.”
Susan Crosby and fellow campaigner Neil Ross are asking people to dress in white garments, or their WFUC t-shirts, and bring their own posters and banners on the walk.