MORE than 6,000 people have signed Redditch MP Rachel Maclean's petition calling on health bosses to return the Garden Suite Chemotherapy Unit to the Alexandra Hospital.

The unit was transferred to Kidderminster earlier this year in a bid to keep patients safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However following comments from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust bosses that the temporary move could become permanent, the MP launched the petition in May.

Rachel said: “Since the very moment we learnt the Garden Suite Chemotherapy Unit had been temporarily re-located to Kidderminster, I’ve been clear and consistent in my belief and desire to see this vital service returned to the Alex.

“Before the pandemic struck, there was already a chemotherapy suite at Kidderminster. This now means there are currently two chemotherapy units operating from Kidderminster.

“If the Alex was to permanently lose the Garden Suite, then it would be the only one of the Acute Trust’s hospitals not to provide chemotherapy. This is a situation that I cannot and will not accept.

“All three of the Acute Trust’s hospitals must provide chemotherapy, as they did before the pandemic."

More than 6,000 residents have now signed Rachel’s petition and the MP has convened a number of Alex Working Group meetings with the Trust to make the case for the service to be returned to Redditch’s hospital.

Rachel thanked the more than 6,000 people who have backed the petition so far and added: "“Local health bosses can be in no doubt about the strength of public feeling on this issue.

“I’m continuing to do everything I can as your Member of Parliament to secure the return of this service. The Garden Suite’s home was the Alex before the pandemic, and I’m determined to make sure the Alex is the Garden Suite’s home once again."

Health bosses have told the MP they intend to make a decision about the future permanent location of the Garden Suite around October and November time.

To sign the petition visit: https://www.change.org/bringbackthegardensuite