PROTESTERS will gather to voice their opposition to the possible closure of a hospital s A & E unit. Campaigners and residents will meet outside the main entrance of King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, at around 1pm on Saturday (November 21). La

PROTESTERS will gather to voice their opposition to the possible closure of a hospital's A & E unit.

Campaigners and residents will meet outside the main entrance of King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, at around 1pm on Saturday (November 21).

Last month's government proposals to close down the hospital's A&E department caused an outcry among politicians in Barking and Dagenham and in the neighbouring boroughs.

Campaigner and Green Party member Wilson Chowdry, who was praised by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the Community Crime Fighter awards for his work, said: "There is large Black minority and ethnic proportion catchment area who are more susceptible to fatal illnesses like strokes and diabetes.

"To remove our A and E facilities is going to be regressive."

He added that the move would increase the burden on emergency services who would have to struggle through more traffic to get patients to Queen's Hospital in Romford, and Whipps Cross in Waltham Forest.