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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Minister in NHS hospital protest | Minister in NHS hospital protest |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Cabinet minister Hazel Blears has joined a protest over plans to close part of a hospital in her constituency. | |
| The proposals for Hope Hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester, are part of the controversial NHS shake-up. | The proposals for Hope Hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester, are part of the controversial NHS shake-up. |
| A spokesman for Ms Blears, the Labour Party chair, said she believed closure would be the "wrong thing to do". | A spokesman for Ms Blears, the Labour Party chair, said she believed closure would be the "wrong thing to do". |
| BBC political correspondent Robin Brant said it was rare for a cabinet minister to come out against measures directly resulting from government policy. | BBC political correspondent Robin Brant said it was rare for a cabinet minister to come out against measures directly resulting from government policy. |
| The actions will be seen as an embarrassment to the Labour party, our correspondent said. | The actions will be seen as an embarrassment to the Labour party, our correspondent said. |
| 'Hot issue' | 'Hot issue' |
| The government is determined to push ahead with a re-organisation of the NHS, which will see some closures. | The government is determined to push ahead with a re-organisation of the NHS, which will see some closures. |
| It aims to consolidate but improve the services on offer at other hospitals. | It aims to consolidate but improve the services on offer at other hospitals. |
| Mr Blears took part in Wednesday's demonstration outside the hospital over proposals to close and relocate its maternity unit. | Mr Blears took part in Wednesday's demonstration outside the hospital over proposals to close and relocate its maternity unit. |
| Health chiefs want to concentrate maternity services in the region in three centres providing high quality intensive care for babies. | Health chiefs want to concentrate maternity services in the region in three centres providing high quality intensive care for babies. |
| The final decision on moving the unit is not due for several months. | The final decision on moving the unit is not due for several months. |
| Ms Blears' spokesman told the BBC that she has had "informal contact" with the Health Secretary over the issue and plans to make formal representations. | Ms Blears' spokesman told the BBC that she has had "informal contact" with the Health Secretary over the issue and plans to make formal representations. |
| He added: "She intends to campaign against it - it is a very hot issue locally." | He added: "She intends to campaign against it - it is a very hot issue locally." |