MP takes A&E debate to parliament

Mar 14 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM MP is preparing to raise concerns over controversial plans to make cutbacks to City Hospital A&E in Parliament.

Khalid Mahmood, Perry Barr's Labour MP, said he had "real issues" after discussing the changes with residents, hospital bosses, doctors and nurses.

He said 67 per cent of his constituents from Perry Barr to Aston and Great Barr were against no longer carrying out emergency surgery at City A&E, merging childrens' wards and surgery changes.

The MP is now highlighting a series of problems to bosses of Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust, which runs the Winson Green hospital.

When he had received a response, he would be looking at taking the matter to the top.

"I am looking at raising this issue with the most senior people in Parliament, whether in private or on the floor of the house," said Mr Mahmood, who represents residents from Handsworth and Aston to Great Barr.

"I asked all my constituents for their views and have had 200 replies with more arriving all the time with a lot of concerns.

"My main worry is that if A&E patients needing surgery are going to be transferred from City to Sandwell, the ambulance service won't treat them as an emergency and they could be waiting for hours with a severe injury to be moved.

"Then there are problems over the children's overnight wards being moved from City to Sandwell Hospital."

A public consultation ends tomorrow. Contact the hospital on 0121 507 5303 to find out how to register your view before the consultation ends.