THERE was cross party support from Bromsgrove councillors for a motion officially registering concern at recent events at the Alexandra Hospital.

At the last full meeting of Bromsgrove District Council, held on February 25, Conservative councillor Rod Laight proposed the motion.

Although there was general support, there was heated debate on the issue.

It was tabled by Councillor Pete Lammas in response to events at the Alex - the general hospital serving Bromsgrove - where the entire A&E consultant team resigned en masse on February 13.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust also declared a level four incident, and there were reports of bullying.

The motion called for the authority to endorse the actions of council leader Margaret Sherrey in writing to the NHS Trust Development Agency in requesting an independent investigation into the developments and also called for an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State.

The meeting requested took place prior to the council meeting, with Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid attending.

Despite cross party consensus on the issue, there was anger from Conservative councillors as Labour councillors spoke on the issue, as they said this one hospital needed to be put in context of wider NHS problems.

Councillor Luke Mallett, leader of Labour group, said: "I have been concerned about this for a long time.

"I'm not trying to be party political.

"We do endorse the action taken by the leader.

"I do think it is important to recognise this hospital sits within the NHS."

Labour councillor Peter McDonald said: "The NHS is loved by cross party members.

"Our NHS always suffers when it is in Tory hands."

Cllr Laight said he was very disappointed to see the debate on the item reduced to what it should not have been.

"Members opposite should be ashamed," he said.

Conservative Councillor Kit Taylor said the motion had been destroyed by both parties.

After shouts of disgraceful, council chairman June Griffiths intervened saying she was extremely disappointed with the level of debate.

She then said time had run out to debate the motion, so moved to the vote. The motion was passed.