RACHEL Maclean MP has meet with health chiefs to seek clarity following the changes to the delivery of trauma care at the Alexandra Hospital.

The meeting follows a three-page letter the MP wrote to the Chief Executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Matthew Hopkins, after it emerged that certain trauma patients would no longer be treated at the Alexandra.

The MP met with Health Minister Ed Argar, the Acute Trust, the local Clinical Commissioning Group, the Leader of Worcestershire County Council, a representative from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and Worcestershire MPs on November 24.

The Redditch MP said: “Despite the letter I sent to the Trust two weeks ago, I still haven’t received answers to my questions, particularly around what trauma patients will now be treated at the Alex given the changes have now been implemented.

“I put these questions to the Trust’s Chief Executive during our meeting. We need clarity, and I still didn’t get the answers we need, but I have been promised a response. I will of course share this information with you.

“To me it remains incomprehensible that this decision was made at this time, especially heading into the winter months when we know the NHS will be put under further pressure. It makes sense to everyone that the Alex should be better utilised.

“This change was poorly communicated, key stakeholders weren’t consulted, and I made it clear to the Trust that the anger in Redditch was palpable.

“I will continue to monitor the situation closely to see what impact these changes have on the already unacceptable ambulance delays we’re seeing at Worcestershire Royal."

The MP also asked the Trust when the business case for the multi-million pound investment at the Alex will be completed and submitted to the Government for approval.

She added: “Spades in the ground and the new theatres being built will send a clear signal to my constituents that their hospital is not going anywhere.”