Campaigners pledge to have weekly demonstrations calling for new King's Lynn hospital
It's after safety concerns were raised about the Queen Elizabeth hospital building.
Campaigners from the King's Lynn and District Trade Union Council have pledged to hold weekly demonstrations outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn until something is done about the building.
There are ongoing calls for a new hospital to be built on the site after it was revealed the existing building is no longer fit for purpose.
Metal props are holding up parts of the roof and some areas have been closed off to the public.
The demonstration on Wednesday 5th May has been timed to coincide with rush hour traffic, which campaigners say will "add to the pressure being exerted from numerous directions to see a new hospital and a planned, funded maintenance programme".
Organiser Jo Rust said: "We know that there's a desperate need for a new hospital and for funding to maintain the current building.
"This won't come to fruition unless we show that the people in King's Lynn care deeply about this matter and are willing to take action to get it.
"We plan to hold weekly demonstrations to ensure that the public remain aware of the need".
Local MP James Wild has been among those pushing Government to consider the Queen Elizabeth as a potential candidate for its pledge to build eight further new hospitals.
Prior to a similar demonstration outside the hospital last month, a Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson told us: “We are committed to improving health infrastructure across the country and are backing the NHS with £4.2 billion for hospitals to maintain and refurbish their buildings this year.
"As part of this the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn will receive over £20 million to address the most immediate issues.
“Alongside this we have confirmed funding for 40 hospitals across the country, with a further eight schemes invited to bid for future funding to deliver 48 hospitals by 2030.”
Today's event will begin at 4pm and is due to last an hour.