Residents of all ages joined community campaigners, councillors and MPs on October 17 to express their concerns about the hospital’s ongoing clinical review and the possibility of changes to emergency, maternity and intensive care services.
And it wasn’t just people from West Norfolk who came along.
Residents travelled from neighbouring Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, reflecting the wide area served by the King’s Lynn hospital and the importance of its services to communities well beyond the borough.
The gathering, which took place between 11.30am and midday, followed growing concern about reports of possible changes to services at the QEH.
Campaigners had encouraged people to bring signs showing where they lived and how long it currently takes them to reach the hospital, highlighting the additional journeys patients could face if some services were relocated.
A community making its voice heard
One of the organisers, Councillor Rob Colwell, described the turnout as a powerful demonstration of local feeling.
“The community spoke loud today with one of the biggest protests the town has seen in recent times,” he told Town and Around.
“All ages were represented and not just West Norfolk, but people from Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.”
Among those attending were local MPs James Wild and Terry Jermy, who joined residents and campaigners at the gathering.
Borough councillors from King’s Lynn, Downham Market and Hunstanton were also present.
Local MPs James Wild and Terry Jermy offering their support in the rain
Cllr Tammy Edmunds and Cllr Bobby Salazar from Hunstanton Town Council
For many of those taking part, the concern is not simply about the future of one hospital department, but about what changes could mean for families living across a large rural and coastal area.
Travelling to King’s Lynn for treatment can already involve a considerable journey for some patients, particularly those living in smaller villages or without easy access to transport.
The possibility of having to travel further for certain services has therefore become a central concern.
“There is still a long way to go”
Councillor Simon Ring, Deputy Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, was among those emphasising the importance of continued public involvement.
KLWNBC Deputy Leader Cllr Simon Ring
“There is still a long way to go before a decision is made and we should ensure we engage fully to ensure our voices continue to be heard,” he told Town and Around.
His comments reflect an important distinction in the current debate.
Although the clinical review has prompted considerable concern, hospital leaders have previously stated that no final decisions have been made about the future configuration of services.
Professor Lesley Dwyer, Chief Executive of the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group, has said that the future of hospital services must be considered alongside clinical evidence and the changing needs of the population.
She has also previously stated that King’s Lynn will continue to have 24-hour emergency care, although questions remain about precisely what form that provision might take.
What happens next?
Saturday’s demonstration was intended to ensure that the views of patients and communities remain central to discussions as the clinical review progresses.
For the hundreds who attended, the message was that any proposed changes must take account of the distances people already travel, the needs of families and the importance of accessible hospital care across West Norfolk and neighbouring counties.
The next stages of the review, including how residents will be consulted on any proposals, will be closely watched.
For now, no final decision on the future of A&E, maternity or intensive care services at the QEH has been announced.
But Saturday’s gathering showed that the people who depend on the hospital are determined to be part of the conversation.
And with more than 500 people turning out on a Saturday morning, it was certainly a conversation that could be heard well beyond the Tuesday Market Place.
