Redditch MP says she will carry on fighting for the Alex Hospital (From Redditch Advertiser)

Redditch MP says she will carry on fighting for the Alex Hospital

3:20pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley has vowed to keep on fighting after it has emerged the Alexandra Hospital could be downgraded.

She was responding to the options put forward by the Worcestershire NHS Joint Service Review, looking into the future of Worcestershire’s Hospitals, released this morning.

All three hospitals, in Kidderminster, Worcester and Redditch will remain open with proposed changes to A&E, maternity and children’s services, health leaders confirmed.

One option is that the A&E service at the Alex would only provide local emergency care with a 24 hour minor injuries unit and a GP service on the site.

This would mean 75 per cent of current cases would continue to be treated at the site while more serious cases such as heart attacks and strokes would be dealt with at Worcester.

Children's services will also be downgraded to a paediatric assessment unit.

The second option is to look into working with University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) - the option favoured by campaigners and Mrs Lumley.

The MP recently met with the chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT) Penny Venables and chief executive of UHB Dame Julie Moore. 

Mrs Lumley said that during the meeting it was made clear that UHB are unable to access what services they could bring to the hospital as WAHT is withholding information on the Alex site.

“There are two options on the table and it is important that UHB is given full access on the Alex site in order to provide a second proposal that residents and staff can look at and have their say on," she said.

"I met with UHB last week and as far as they are concerned they want to grow the Alex.

"We need grown up politics and grown up decision making. At the moment, UHB are in the ludicrous position of having to use Google maps to access site information.

"I have made clear that I will stand up and carry on the fight until all options are on the table so the people of Redditch can make their decision on the best proposal available.”

Mrs Lumley added: “I was standing in the car park of the Alex this morning watching staff arrive for work uncertain about their jobs, the trust should be very disappointed in themselves.

"It does seem that many of those involved in the decision have lost sight about what this is all about.

"A local NHS, providing the services local people need. A local NHS built for the people and owned by the people.

"The minister has made it clear that no trust owns any hospital, the people do and they rightly demand the best possible services available.”