MP Steve Barclay found – for the second time – campaigners at the locked gates of his constituency office protesting over delays to announcing a decision on a new hospital.
Campaigners calling for a replacement for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at king’s Lynn turned up at his office in March on Saturday.
The protestors – wearing ‘Steve Barclay’ masks – tweeted: “Where were you Steve?
“We came to deliver you a Valentine’s Day card asking you to show us some love and fully fund a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”
They also had a message for James Wild, the MP for North West Norfolk, tweeting: “James, you can join us at any time xx”.
West Norfolk independent councillor Jo Rust helped to stage the protest as part of efforts by King’s Lynn Trades Council.
In a later tweet she responded to a query about SW Norfolk MP Liz Truss and her efforts to support the campaign for a new hospital.
“We’ve been to Swaffham several times,” said Cllr Rust.
@jamesowild Bharti’s here now. In her lunch break. No one is getting paid here. We’ve all given up our time FREELY. Because we want a new @TeamQEH we want to @SaveOurQEH @SteveBarclay pic.twitter.com/DGB6oiguKt
— Cllr Jo Rust. independent – Springwood Ward (@Springwoodcoun1) February 1, 2023
“Like Steve, Liz won’t be doing much. When she was PM, it would have been a conflict of interest.
“She didn’t do anything when she was a senior minister and now, she’s a back bencher.”
Cllr Rust said protestors were out in force in Wisbech earlier this month asking people to sign the same Valentine’s Day message to Steve Barclay.
‘Valentine’s’ protest by QEH supporters in Wisbech earlier this month
In December NHS supporters staged another protest staged outside Mr Barclay’s constituency office in March, Cambridgeshire.
On that occasion flyers were also distributed across the town in support of nurses.
‘Pay the nurses what they deserve’ posters appeared in shops throughout the Fenland town.
The poster campaign was organised by the Wisbech, March and District Trades Union Council.
Meanwhile hospital bosses are keeping their fingers crossed for an announcement about whether the QEH is to be replaced as part of the Government’s pledge for 40 new hospitals.
Alice Webster, acting chief executive at the QEH, said: “We understand that a decision on QEH being added to the government’s new hospital programme will be announced in early 2023.
@SteveBarclay here we are again. Campaigning for a new @TeamQEH @jamesowild @trussliz @SaveOurQEH pic.twitter.com/RggoHoixib
— Cllr Jo Rust. independent – Springwood Ward (@Springwoodcoun1) February 8, 2023
“We continue to do all we can to press our case for a new hospital, which is extremely strong, and very much hope we can bring good news about the future of our hospital early next year.”
Mr Barclay, as health secretary, is battling on multiple fronts over pay and conditions for NHS workers.
