FEARS for the future of Ramsbottom Cottage Hospital had local Labour activists out in force last Saturday to voice their concern.

The move follows the decision to close Bury's Florence Nightingale Hospital, which has sparked fears that the Cottage Hospital could be next on the list of closures.

Said Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Bury North, David Chaytor: "Eighteen months ago we were told that there were no plans to close Florence Nightingale Hospital yet this year we have been told it will soon shut its doors for ever.

"Ramsbottom Cottage is a vital part of the community and the service it provides could not be fully replicated elsewhere.

"There are many Ramsbottom people who fear the Cottage Hospital could be the next victim of NHS streamlining, and the experience of Florence Nightingale rightly gives them cause for concern."

Mr Chaytor concluded: "The Health Authority has a moral duty to protect this essential service and to do all in its power to resist any attempts to close the hospital.

"The people of Ramsbottom deserve no less than this."

His comments were echoed by local Labour candidate Sheila Barnes who said: "Ramsbottom Cottage has provided a wonderful service to the community and its future must be assured. We will be vigorously campaigning to protect it for future generations and call upon local people to support us in the coming months."

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