ST ALBANS MP Kerry Pollard has been challenged to support the fight to protect health services by leading a protest against hospital closures at a public meeting.

Kumar Sandy, regional officer of health union Unison, has written an open letter to Mr Pollard asking him to condemn any cuts in services at the meeting on Monday.

The letter says: "You were elected by the people of St Albans on a platform for change. People voted for an end to the cuts culture in the NHS, which has brought the most valued and best loved institution in Britain to the point of collapse.

"Will you lead our lobby to protest against the £12 million cuts programme?"

The public meeting, organised by Unison, takes place at Oaklands College, St Peter's Road, St Albans, on Monday, February 2, at 7.30pm.

Unison has also published a report, entitled One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, which says the closure of any hospital in west Hertfordshire would lower health care standards.

The report suggests West Hertfordshire Health Authority has already taken a long term decision to close St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals.

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