Thousands of people are expected to join marches in Shropshire in an attempt to save three community hospitals under threat. The protests are scheduled to take place in Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Whitchurch this Saturday.
The National Health Service in Shropshire is facing a deficit of �55m.
Clive Walsh, from Shropshire Primary Care Trust, said it was aware of the distances that people would have to travel.
He added: "If Ludlow closed, then obviously people would have to travel and we're aware of the distances people would have to travel to Hereford or Kidderminster or Shrewsbury.
"It is possible that Ludlow Community Hospital remains open, but (of) the current range of services, not all of those services (would) continue to be provided there."
Pat Hansen, from the League of Friends, which raises money for hospitals, said: "A district nurse in an urban area can maybe make five or six calls a day, because she's only travelling short distances.
"In a rural area, a district nurse might have to spend half an hour, 45 minutes on the road to each appointment."
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
