Campaigners march against hospital ward closure

Hundreds of people marched on Saturday over the hospital plans

Hundreds of people have marched in protest over a decision to close a hospital ward.

The Hoskyn Ward, at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, will shut on 4 December under plans from the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust.

A spokesperson said the closure was in response to a drop in demand for the transfers of patients from Coventry to the hospital and access to inpatient beds would remain the same.

Campaigners took part in the march from the Whitehall Recreation Ground to Caldecott Park on Saturday.

It was organised by volunteers who formed the Rugby St Cross Action Group on Facebook with more than 1,800 members.

A rally was held at the park with several speakers and people in the social media group posted praise at the turnout for the event.

Volunteers and activists joined the march which ended in a rally at Caldecott Park

The hospital no longer needed the current number of inpatient beds according to a review, UHCW's chief executive, Prof Andy Hardy, said.

It was therefore decided that the Hoskyn ward, which specialised in geriatric patients, would close.

Mr Hardy added there have been recent investments in new operating theatres and a new endoscopy unit at the site.

“Further to this, in 2026, subject to approval of a planning application by Rugby Borough Council, we plan to build a new ward and theatre block on the site," he said.