Defence Secretary and former health secretary, John Reid was among demonstrators who formed a human chain around Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire according to the BBC. The protestors were concerned about possible closure of A&E services to the local area, as consultation began on proposed plans to reduce the number of A&E departments to 2 from the 3 local hospitals in the area, forcing many emergencies to make the long trip to Glasgow.

Mr. Reid said "This is not organised. It's not the normal political or trade union demonstration. This is just ordinary, non-political people who know how much accident and emergency means to this area.

"The local round table is here, the councillors are here, community representatives as well as MPs."

It has become increasingly obvious that the NHS is in serious financial difficulty, with ever increasing job cuts coinciding with cuts in patient services. Current Health Secretary, Ms. Hewitt may claim that there is no crisis and that the NHS is having its best year, other cabinet members are starting to see cracks in her story, as their own constituencies become victims of the current NHS mismanagement.

Defence Secretary In Protest To Save Local A&E Services