Save our NHS Kent protest closure of stroke units in Margate, Medway and Tunbridge Wells

Campaigners have pitched up outside County Hall to protest against the possible closure of stroke units.

Plans to shut to units in Thanet, Medway, and Tunbridge Wells and create three new hyper acute stroke units in Maidstone, Ashford and Dartford were given the go ahead by health chiefs in February.

The group, Sonik (Save Our NHS in Kent), have come from across the county to stand outside the Kent County Council (KCC) heath overview and scrutiny committee (HOSC) meeting later today when it will make its decision.

They have collected 6,140 signatures to pressure councillors not to back the plans and refer the decision to back to the government.

A similar protest has also been organised to take place outside the Civic Centre in Margate.

The protestors at County Hall in Maidstone

Medway Council is preparing a legal challenge against the NHS plans with council leader Alan Jarrett (Con) saying he is "utterly disappointed" with the proposals.

Campaigner Dr Coral Jones said: "We have had people protesting against this for nearly 18 months, we have had thousands and thousands of people who have signed signatures and despite that and despite the evidence that we have produced that the decision is wrong and will harm people and will lead to increase deaths and disabilities unnecessarily.

"We have been ignored by people making the decisions.

"We've come here today as a last resort. Were hoping they will look at the evidence that we have accumulated overt the last 18 months that these decisions that have been made are dangerous for patients."

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