CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect services at Dorset County Hospital took their opposition to the office of Dorset's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

A protest event was held at the CCG's offices at Vespasian House in Dorchester this morning, with parents whose children rely on the hospital and other supporters voicing their disapproval over changes to maternity services and demanding consultation on any further changes to children's services.

Concerns have been raised this week about a move to re-classify the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Dorset County Hospital so it only takes babies after 32 weeks, rather than 27 weeks, and the fact the changes were introduced without consultation.

The campaigners are now keen for the CCG to make public its plans for consultation on the future of paediatric and maternity services at the Dorchester hospital which are being considered under the health organisation's Clinical Services Review.

Campaigner Donna Singleton said: "We're here today because we're angry.

"We're angry that the CCG has promised us a public consultation to be available to have our say over children's services at Dorset County Hospital.

"This hasn't happened and they have gone ahead with changes to the SCBU meaning babies born under 32 weeks will be transferred to Poole Hospital.

"This will be happening in a matter of weeks.

"Why didn't we get our say? Why has the promise been broken by the CCG?

"We would like some answers."

During the demonstration there was a performance by the Cartoon Action Theatre group from Bridport, with a character representing the 'Cynical Commissioning Group'.

Tammy-Jo Hague's son Swanley was born at 31 weeks at Dorset County Hospital and she was full of praise for the care on offer at the SCBU.

She said she feared for other parents with premature or poorly babies who would have to travel elsewhere for that service in the future.

Tammy-Jo said: "I'm really worried for the babies in the future and the parents having to deal with that.

"There are a lot of babies going to be affected and their families.

"I'm just devastated really."

The CCG has insisted that the decision to re-classify the SCBU was not part of the overarching Clinical Services Review and was being implemented by NHS England following the recommendation of professional bodies.

It has insisted that there will still be full public consultion when it comes to the wider future of maternity and paediatric services which are being considered as part of the Clinical Services Review.