THE maternity unit at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital has now been officially closed.
To mark the solemn occasion protestors, some of whom have been gathered for hours, held a silent march outside the hospital.
It was part of a vigil to save services at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital.
The 12 hour vigil, from 8am to 8pm, is being organised by pressure group Save the Alex which has issued a rallying call to the public to support their efforts to secure the future of the Woodrow Drive hospital, following a shock decision to close the maternity unit.
No words, just tears ^Ian pic.twitter.com/FdCUgMXmP8
— Save The Alex (@SaveTheAlex) November 5, 2015
The controversial announcement was made last week by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
The closure, from noon today, means that all births are now transferred to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester – forcing hundreds of expectant mothers to endure up to an hour travel time to get there before they give birth.
High noon :(
Posted by Save The Alexandra Hospital on Thursday, 5 November 2015
Members of the campaign will be at the hospital until 8pm tonight and are urging people to turn up at any point and spend as much time as they can with the group as a visible show of opposition to the cuts.
The vigil will rally at 6pm and campaign leaders are expected to address those in attendance.
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