Residents show support for the Alexandra Hospital (From Redditch Advertiser)

Residents show support for the Alexandra Hospital

2:50pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

MORE than 100 people attended a public meeting to show their support for the Alexandra Hospital.

The meeting, organised by the Save the Alex Campaign, followed calls from concerned Bromsgrove residents against the possible closure of the accident and emergency (A&E) unit at the Redditch hospital.

The Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alex as well as the Worcester Royal and Kidderminster hospitals, must plug a £50 million shortfall.

To that end a joint services review was set up to decide how future services will be provided at all three hospitals in the future - a move which could see the Alex stripped of its A&E or closed.

Among those who attended the meeting, held last Friday at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, was Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid.

He said: “It was very encouraging to see so many people attend the meeting and demonstrate their commitment to maintaining the A&E unit at the Alex.

“Although nothing has yet been decided by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, I would urge everyone with an interest in this to take part in the full consultation that will be held later this year.”

A spokesman from the Save the Alex Campaign thanked everyone who attended and stressed the fight must go on.

"It was a good meeting with lots of shared support across the panel and audience.

“All we want is our A&E and other vital services to be safe.”

A shortlist of options is expected to be released soon, although no date has been given.

Public consultation is due to start in November.

For the latest information on the Save the Alex Campaign, visit savethealex.co.uk