Save The Alex Campaign send clear message to NHS chiefs (From Redditch Advertiser)

Save The Alex Campaign send clear message to NHS chiefs

10:00am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News

THE Save The Alex Campaign’s petition, signed by more than 54,000 people, has been handed to NHS chiefs.

Members of the campaign delivered the petition to Eamonn Kelly, chief executive of Worcestershire NHS, at the Alex Hospital last week.

Neal Stote, from the campaign, said: "The campaign’s petition sends a clear message to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust that users of the Alexandra Hospital do not agree with their plans for future health care.

“The fact they have already been forced to delay their short list of options shows they are under pressure to scrap their unworkable proposals."

NHS Worcestershire’s Joint Services Review (JSR), looking into healthcare, was launched in January.

As a result vital services will shut at either the Alex or the Private Finance Initiative hospital the Worcester Royal.

This is because there is a £50 million gap in NHS finances due to rising patient demand and the cost of new treatments.

NHS bosses are due to meet next on October 10 to try to pick the short list of options.

Mr Kelly said that he was committed to making the right decision for the people of Worcestershire.