Just over two years ago at the start of February 2017, myself (Nick Sheldon), Pamela Wood and Michelle Harrison formed a partnership, a committee, and a group with the sole intention of bringing the plight of our beloved Leek Moorlands Hospital to the forefront of everyone’s attention.
This website was built, the facebook page created, petition set up, and thousands of flyers and huge banners (still visible now) printed which together, formed a massive communication network. We certainly ignited the passion in the Moorlands residents and we soon had over 50,000 signatures. The SaveLeekHospital (SLH) group was also growing in numbers and Alison Ratcliffe, Glenn Marriott and Mark Povey joined.
The campaign went to another level in May 2017 when Theresa May announced a snap election and I decided to stand as a single issue candidate for SaveLeekHospital. I had never envisaged doing anything like this, but decided it was an opportunity that I could not let pass. The SLH group did a sterling job hand delivering leaflets and together we received 1524 votes and came third, beating the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party and in doing so raised the profile of the campaign to new heights.
We have done everything we can do, we have all used our own time and holidays, walked miles, attended all events and meetings to fight for OUR hospital.
We are now in a state of limbo as we wait for the verdict of the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). At this moment we can do NO more. We have fought this battle with professionalism and integrity, and I am proud of everything we have achieved.
Our arguments have been well founded and based on fact and have been verified by all the emails we receive on a daily basis to this website. We have over 50,000 signatures and documented stories of how we need our local Moorlands hospital.
What we (the people of the Moorlands) want:
Our hospital with ALL the services it used to have. We want the beds back, which will help alleviate the strain on the UHNM, plus the CCG have admitted that they do NOT have any ‘care-homes’ in the Moorlands at this time. With everything we have stated CONTINUALLY for the last two years, I don’t see how they can do anything else but reinstate what we once had…
A FULLY FUNCTIONING HOSPITAL
The fight is not over, it is just on hold whilst we wait for the CCG’s verdict.
So, on behalf of the SLH I say a HUGE thank you to everyone in the Moorlands for your support over the past two and a half years.
Regards
Nick Sheldon
Amazing campaign by you wonderful people, irrespective of the outcome which unfortunately I feel was always a done deal, you guys should be proud of what was achieved. Leek is better for people like you in it.