DESPITE tempers flying and councillors walking out, a motion has been passed by Redditch Council endorsing action taken by leader Bill Hartnett urging the NHS Trust Development Authority to launch an independent investigation into the ongoing Alex Hospital crisis.

The motion, proposed by Councillor Greg Chance and seconded by Councillor Juliet Brunner, was discussed at a raucous council meeting held yesterday night.

The melee, which saw a number of people talking passionately about the Alex crisis as well as the health service nationally, resulted in many raised voices and emotions running high.

It also saw Councillor Carole Gandy leave the chamber.

Speaking after the meeting she said that the discussion should have been about representing what is best for the people of Redditch - not party politics.

"The future of the Alex Hospital should be above politics," she said.

"Trying to retain services at the Alex and doing the best for the residents of Redditch has always been apolitical and needs to remain so. People on the street, patients, and those who work at the Alex are not interested in party politics.

"We have got to find a way around this."

The motion said that the council is becoming increasingly concerned at recent events at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, the organisation running the Alex, including the recent resignations of consultants in the A&E.

Other concerns include reports of bullying, an expected £28 million deficit, and the trust declaring a 'level four' (one down from a major incident).

The notice of motion, which was also asking for a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health, was passed unanimously.