Dozens of campaigners gathered outside Grantham Hospital last night for a fifth anniversary vigil.

Every Wednesday night since 2016, bar a break due to the pandemic, people have gathered outside the district hospital in protest at a decision by the United Lincolnshire Hospital's Trust to end overnight A&E services at the hospital on Manthorpe Road.

Campaigner Melissa Darcey told Nub News: "Well done to everyone who has stood outside our hospital week in, week out to highlight the cuts to OUR local services! you really are the heart of this whole campaign

"The boys reenacted their picture from 4 years ago where they dressed as Doctors and they also made a lovely decoration for the tree they have always ran around "

Melissa continued: "We had a gentleman and a lady who stopped in their car who had arrived at our hospital thinking that they could attend A&E. Unfortunately it was closed as it was past 6.30pm and they needed help and was asking us which is the closest A&E.

"This really brought home to me why we all first started this fight so many years ago. Accidents and Emergencies happen AT ALL HOURS. We live in a ever-growing area with more and more houses being built, main roads going through and around the town,main rail links to big cities. WE NEED A 24HR LEVEL 1 A&E with ALL the backup services ."

However, with five years of campaign and protest, Melissa sadly believes many people have become sad and she often wonders why.

"What if the lovely couple from this evening was your parents? Your grandparents?

"Wouldn't you be upset that they have now had to travel an extra hour in pain or in need of medical treatment? I know I would.

"I'm upset for the whole town and it's about time we all stood up and said NO to these permanent, significant changes to OUR local healthcare!"

She added: "Five years tells us that the closure of our A&E and the persistent stripping and cutting of our services proves that this plan was NEVER temporary but we still have to fight for the services lost or we will NEVER see them return...

"It was a great turnout of support tonight with plenty of drivers beeping and waving as they always have but I really wish more people who show support would actually join the fight. We really will be lost without our services when they all go!"

Anyone wanting to become involved in the campaign to Save Our Services at Grantham Hospital is asked to contact Melissa through Facebook. The campaigners are planning a Zoom meeting on the issue.