St Oswalds: Glen Harrison leads protest against Calderstones closure

St Oswalds 2016 candidate, Glen Harrison, has been protesting against the threat to jobs posed by the planned restructuring of care services for patients with learning difficulties. He had organised several demonstrations, including one at Whalley.


Demonstrators assembled in the Whalley Arms car park to hear a rallying call from Calderstones UNISON Officer Glen Harrison before setting off on a protest march through the village.

Led by a piper in full Highland dress, the Demonstrators announced their presence with a chorus of whistles, tambourines and horns. Shop workers, residents and motorists called out their support as the marchers proceeded along King Street and up Mitton Road to Calderstones.

Speakers from UNISON, Lancashire and Blackburn Trades Union Councils and Ribble Valley Labour Party then addressed the meeting. UNISON Regional Organiser Tim Ellis warned that 96 patients were to be moved into the community, with up to 400 local workers affected over the next 12 months.

Former Ribble Valley Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate David Hinder commented "The local effects of the national changes to learning disability services are already being felt as Calderstones staff face the threat of job losses or wage cuts following redeployment. At the same time, we should challenge the policy of discharging service users into the community, where the capacity to match existing standards of care may be questionable."

Mr Hinder continued "Sadly, the recent award of a Gold Star award from the Carers Trust and the positive staff feedback on care and training recorded in a survey earlier this year would appear to count for little as Government policy continues to tighten the screw on both the management and workforce at Calderstones. It is vital that the wider public continue to be made aware of the local implications of the proposed changes, not least their likely negative impact on the Ribble Valley economy. "

Ribble Valley resident and UNISON shop steward Matt Riggs commented "The hard work involved for my colleagues in organising this event has been rewarded by its success in bringing together so many local stakeholders and supporters of the important services provided by Calderstones.

Calderstones UNISON Branch Secretary Chris Chamley said "Our members continue to be heartened by the public response to our campaign. We must maintain momentum and now look forward to taking the fight forward to our meeting with the Calderstones NHS Trust."