Rugby activists march against hospital ward closure

Hundreds of people have marched in protest against the decision of close a hospital room.

The Hoskyn ward, at St Cross’s Hospital in Rugby, will close the December 4 under the plans of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust.

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

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

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

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

Based on a review, the hospital no longer needed the current number of inpatient beds, UHCW chief executive Professor Andy Hardy said.

Therefore, it was decided that the Hoskyn ward, specialized in geriatric patients, would close.

Hardy added that investments have recently been made in new operating theaters and a new endoscopy unit on site.

“In addition, in 2026, subject to the approval of a planning application by Rugby Council, we plan to build a new hall and theater on the site,” he said.