Officer Blog: The Latest on #HandsOffHRI

Thursday 11-08-2016 - 10:23

Hey everyone!

Back in January 2016 the Greater Huddersfield CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) announced proposals to close Huddersfield A&E Department. This was a huge concern for the residents, students, SU sports clubs, and a number of placement opportunities available to our healthcare students.

The Hands off Huddersfield Royal Infirmary campaign was launched in conjunction with local residents and we had a huge presence at the first CCG meeting. It was bitterly upsetting to see that in their consultation document students were not mentioned. We made it our mission for the CCG to listen to us. And so they did!

We held a student-led protest at the public CCG meeting, with over fifty students getting on our coach to chant with bright pink placards, banners and posters outside the meeting. My predecessor Alysia Ford attended the meeting, raising numerous questions with the Board making the final decision. We received lots of press and publicity as a result - featuring in the local newspaper the Examiner, and on BBC News.

In order to make sure students could have their say we arranged a face-to-face consultation with the CCG on campus, as well as a question and answer session specifically dedicated to the student audience on campus. Both events were well attended with students asking well thought out questions, and challenging the decisions made by the CCG Board. Not only this but our annual Varsity competition got on board, with Huddersfield and Bradford wearing t-shirts with #HandsoffHRI on the back, and with spectators waving flags with the same message.

We are currently awaiting the outcome of the public consultation, but we have raised the profile of the issue with the student body - showcasing the power of the student body amongst the local population and with the Board of the local CCG.

Whilst we are waiting for the outcome please come down to the Freshers Fair (more details to come) where you’ll get to meet local campaigners at the #HandsoffHRI stall where you can get involved with the campaign and get up to date with the news.

If you would like to get involved please email on su.equalities@hud.ac.uk or tweet me @liannehunter20

Lianne Hunter

Wellbeing Officer