Crunch day for health protest

Jan 11 2006 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith was confronting Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt today in a bid to save services facing the axe at the Alexandra Hospital.

Mrs Smith announced the meeting when she joined more than 200 protesters who marched from the hospital to health chiefs' headquarters in Prospect Hill, Redditch.

The march was organised by Redditch dad Neal Stote, who launched the action group and website www.savethealex.co.uk after he discovered proposals to axe a range of services.

The proposed cuts have been met with a public outcry, with thousands signing petitions. Mr Stote has also held a candle-lit vigil, joined by scores of residents.

Following the backlash, health trust bosses scrapped plans that would have slashed emergency surgery and trauma care at the A&E department.

But a raft of measures are still in place that would see paediatrics, maternity and gynaecology services reduced as part of proposals aimed at saving debt-plagued Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust £20 million.

Mr Stote said: "The march on Saturday was a success, and a clear message has been sent showing that users of the hospital will not just lay down and accept cuts in local health care.

"If cuts in paediatrics and maternity were allowed to happen it would mean mums-to-be would have to travel to Worcester.

"If a child injured themselves and had to stay in hospital, they would also be sent to Worcester as the children's ward at the Alexandra Hospital would close."

He vowed to carry on the fight, and has launched a new poster campaign, as well as organising a further protest at the hospital on Thursday, February 2, at 12.30pm.

A public meeting is also scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, at Redditch Town Hall at 7.30pm.

Hospital bosses have been invited to answer questions from concerned residents.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chiefs have admitted they still face a "massive challenge" to save cash.

A public meeting between residents, trust chiefs and MP Jacqui Smith is also planned at Redditch Town Hall on Friday, January 20.