ANGRY Bromsgrove residents will be joining hundreds from across Worcestershire at a demonstration against ‘cuts and closures’ in the NHS.

Campaigners from Bromsgrove Against Cuts (BAC) have helped organise the rally in Worcester on Saturday, alongside members of It’s Our NHS Worcestershire.

The group – which consists of political parties, trade unions, and campaign groups – have collected almost 1,000 signatures in protest ahead of the demonstration.

The rally comes following winter deaths at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital and a damning ‘inadequate’ rating for the hospital, Redditch's Alexandra Hospital, and the trust which runs them.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has previously said that the Worcestershire Royal is the hospital “the department are most worried about”.

BAC member James Morris-Knight said: “If Jeremy Hunt is worried, then we’re really worried.

“The NHS and its staff has faced sustained attacks from the government for seven years now through its extensive austerity programme and we’re really starting to see the effects.

“Deaths at the Worcestershire Royal over Christmas, the continued pressure on the Alex and the question marks over the tragic death of Callum Cartlidge in Redditch has local residents angry.

“This demonstration is really important because it’s local people coming out and saying they’ve had enough. We expect and deserve better.

“We encourage anyone who is concerned with the cuts, closures and privatization facing the NHS to come out in great numbers at this rally. It’s important we show our support.”

Residents wishing to attend the demonstration can join at 11am on Mealcheapen Street, ahead of the march at 11.30am, and a rally at 12.30am at Tramps Nightclub.

The marchers will be joined by local samba band Someone At The Door, with speakers also due to appear at the rally.

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid held an ‘urgent meeting’ with Mr Hunt earlier this week following another ‘inadequate’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) report into the Alexandra Hospital and Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust.

Mr Javid said he was reassured by Mr Hunt “this is a top priority on his agenda”.