BATES AND ÖPIK SUPPORT LLANIDLOES HOSPITAL'S FIGHT FOR LIFE

11.10.38am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th Oct 2006

Speaking ahead of the protest rally on Saturday to save Llanidloes Hospital, Lembit Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire said:

"I owe Llanidloes Hospital a great personal debt because it saved my life after my flying accident in 1998. Now that Llanidloes Hospital is fighting for its life, I am totally committed to the campaign to keep it open

"The local health board was set up specifically to keep decisions local, so that our community got the services they want and need. Now it is the health board's duty to ensure Llanidloes can keep the service it obviously cherishes and depends upon. The only way to do that is to keep the hospital open."

Campaigners will gather at Great Oak Street for a rally, where speakers including Lembit Öpik MP and Mick Mates AM will address them. A colourful procession involving banners in the Llanidloes colours of yellow and green will proceed through the town to the hospital. Protestors will then join hands around the hospital to symbolise the community being united in opposition to the closure of Llanidloes Hospital.

Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire, said

"I fully support the campaign to keep Llanidloes Hospital. Shutting our local hospitals compromises patient care and takes an utterly simplistic view of how to make savings in our health service. By joining hands around the hospital, local people will be making their message clear - hands off our hospital!"

Ends/Diwedd

Notes:

Lembit Öpik and Mick Bates will both be addressing the rally at Great Oak Street, Llanidloes on Saturday 28th October 2006 at 11.00am