March to rally support for NHS heads to north Derbyshire

A national march highlighting the dangers of NHS privatisation will pass through north Derbyshire.

The march reaches the area on Tuesday next week, arriving in Dronfield mid-afternoon and heading for a rally at Chesterfield’s New Square at 5.30pm.

The march, aiming to recreated the Jarrow Crusade, will be led by a call centre worker from County Durham.

Janet Portman, a retired nurse, from Walton, who worked in the NHS, will step out on the march. She said: “I was born three years before the start of the NHS and I remember my mother telling me how people used to have their teeth removed for a 21st birthday present. This meant they would not have to worry about the cost of visiting a dentist. The NHS replaced the fear that my parents and all working class people felt – the fear of becoming ill and not having the money to pay doctors’ fees.”

Janet urges others to join the research ‘because the continued privatisation of the NHS will put us back 66 years to a system where the wealthy received the best treatment and the poor a much inferior one’.

The march will be greeted in New Square by the Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins and leader of the Derbyshire County Council Cllr Anne Western. The marchers will be fed and entertained in the Market Hall Assembly Rooms.

The following morning, the marchers will congregate at the Royal Hospital before heading off for Bolsover for a lunchtime rally.

More supporters will join the march keen to defend the service against cuts and closures and making sure the profit motive is not put before the care of the public.

Lucretia Packham of Holymoorside said ‘where would be without the NHS! My son was diagnosed with a ‘Giant Cell’ bone tumour and was referred to the Royal Orthopedic Hospital in Birmingham for a major 5 hour operation on his leg. Two years later, Patrick now has almost normal mobility. The NHS offered more than just a practical, physical solution to Patrick’s condition, he was shown huge support and courtesy from all the professionals involved with his care. I fear for the future if we don’t rally to this emergency call for the NHS. We must keep it public and resist the sell-off of our health services.’