 The protesters formed a human chain near the hospital |
Defence Secretary John Reid joined a protest against hospital cutbacks in his own constituency on Saturday. The former health secretary was among demonstrators who formed a human chain around Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
The protests, also held in Coatbridge and East Kilbride, marked the start of a consultation into a shake-up that may close an accident and emergency unit.
Organisers said about 2,000 people turned out and joined hands.
Red flags were also draped from the windows of the hospital in support of the protest.
Mr Reid said that the campaign had the "total and overwhelming" support of the Monklands community.
He said: "There is no question in anyone's mind here about the feeling of ordinary people.
"This is not organised. It's not the normal political or trade union demonstration. This is just ordinary, non-political people who know how much accident and emergency means to this area.
"The local round table is here, the councillors are here, community representatives as well as MPs."
Specialist units
Proposals for reshaping hospital services have posed a political headache for Labour in Lanarkshire, where three local hospitals - Monklands, Hairmyres, and Wishaw - at present provide accident and emergency cover.
Local health chiefs want to concentrate emergency in-patient treatment at two of these - Wishaw and one other.
They argue Lanarkshire can support two specialist intensive care units but not three smaller ones.
But campaigners are concerned that emergency cases could face a long journey to Glasgow.
Labour MSPs Elaine Smith, Karen Whitefield and Cathie Craigie spearheaded the "Hands Around Monklands" event, which was also joined by Labour MP Tom Brown.
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This is just ordinary, non-political people who know how much accident and emergency means to this area
