Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning and SW Herts MP, David Gauke have dramatically called for the whole community to come together by taking part in a “Bed Push” from Hemel Hempstead Hospital to Watford Hospital. Many local interest groups are coming together to support this high-profile campaign. A team of enthusiastic and fit volunteers is required to push a specially-adapted hospital bed from Hemel Hempstead to Watford. The team will leave Hemel early Sunday 8th October and aim to arrive in Watford later in the day. Banner-carrying marchers are encouraged to join. It is hoped to hold a rally in Kings Langley – when the marchers break for lunch – and also at the end. “For this event to be a success we need your help,” said Mike Penning. “I call on everybody to pull together, young and old, businesses, residents and local organisations. If you feel strongly that a community the size of Hemel Hempstead should keep its own hospital then we need your help. We need up to 100 team members for the bed-push itself, but also back-up teams to provide first aid, road safety teams, food and supplies. “We’ve already had a hospital bed donated and a local engineer has agreed to specially adapt the bed to ensure it is up to the journey, fitted with brakes, etc.” David Gauke added:
“Hertfordshire gets a raw deal as far as funding from the Government is concerned. This means we’re facing cuts which is not only bad news for the users of Hemel but also for those using Watford hospital. Switching services to Watford before Watford gets redeveloped is bad news for everybody in West Herts.” Dacorum's MPs will present a petition to Mrs Hewitt calling for the Government to have some common sense and put lives before money. The petition will be delivered during the following week – that being the first week the MPs are back from their Summer recess.
The event is supported by DHAG, Dacorum Hospital Action Group and the Campaign to Save the Birthing Unit. | 
