Russ Bryant campaigned to keep services at Heatherwood Hospital
advertisement
Tireless Heatherwood campaigner Russ Bryant dies aged 50
By Julie SpencerSeptember 17, 2012
A tireless campaigner against cuts to services at Heatherwood Hospital has died.
Russ Bryant was at the forefront of the campaign to safeguard the Ascot hospital, organising petitions and campaigns.
He died at his home in Priestwood, Bracknell, on Monday. He leaves wife Denese, daughters Jo and Lisa and three grandchildren.
Jo said: “He was adored by his grandchildren and we are all very proud of all that he did and we hope that someone else will carry on his work because that is what he would have wanted.”
Deirdre Thompson, chief operating officer at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are extremely sorry to hear that Russ Bryant has passed away.
“Russ was a tireless campaigner for Heatherwood Hospital, and was always very positive and enthusiastic about the Trust.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family at this sad time.”
Russ’s fears that the Ascot hospital was to be downgraded prompted him to launch a petition in 2008, calling for the maternity department to be safeguarded.
The unit was closed indefinitely because of staff shortages at the end of September last year.
In 2009 Russ launched a second petition against what he saw as the ‘erosion of services’ at 90-year-old Heatherwood.
More than 2,500 people put their name to the online petition which was sent to Downing Street, protesting at any plans to move services to Wexham Park in Slough.
Russ was also passionate about the environment and launched Bracknell’s online recycling service Freegle.
His funeral will be on Friday, September 21 at Easthampstead Park Crematorium, South Road, Nile Mile Ride. Flowers to AB Walker.
Donations to Diabetes Uk and the British Heart Foundation.
Browse Sections
