Leaders Unite to Save The Alex

This article is 9 years old

News

Published on 23 February 2015
Archived on 23 March 2015


The 3 MP's and Leaders for Redditch, Bromsgrove and Stratford-on-Avon and Save the Alex campaigners have announced that they will be meeting with the Secretary of State, the Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt MP, on Monday evening to discuss the future provision of services at The Alexandra Hospital, Redditch.

The news follows the shocking announcement on Friday 13th February that 4 A&E consultants from the Alex and 1 from Worcestershire Royal Hospital resigned en masse placing the viability of continuing to provide an A&E service at the Alex in question.

The MP's, Leaders and Save the Alex all believe that the latest news, on the back of previous news surrounding the Trust declaring 'a level four' (one down from a major incident), an expected £28 million deficit, reports of bullying and the ongoing saga of the Acute Services Review mean that the Secretary of State now needs to intervene and put an end to the uncertainty. They will be asking the Secretary of State to allow University Hospitals Birmingham or other trusts being allowed to bid to deliver all services at the site, including A&E.

Karen Lumley MP for Redditch said: “My number one priority is making sure we get the best we can for the people of Redditch. The first step in doing this is meeting with the Secretary of State, putting our concerns to him and ensuring that he does all he can so that we can keep our hospital and we keep our A&E. We need clear answers from the Trust and we need to know exactly what is going to happen so that the people of Redditch get the hospital they deserve."

 

Councillor Bill Hartnett Leader of Redditch Borough Council said: “This latest news of the unprecedented actions of all 4 Emergency Department consultants resigning on the same day at the Alex sends a clear signal to me that the time has come for a change. Action must be taken, and maintaining services at the Alex is a top priority for me and, I am sure, for all the communities in and around Redditch."

Councillor Margaret Sherrey Leader of Bromsgrove District Council said: “After the shocking news regarding the Alexandra Hospital, myself and my fellow leaders from Redditch and Stratford are seeking urgent intervention from the Secretary of State to ensure that not only are our Local A&E Services maintained but that all of the other vital services provided at the Alex continue.
 
I will work with the parties involved to ensure that a long term solution is found for these unexpected and unacceptable circumstances. I believe now is the time, as we have been saying for years, to allow UHB to provide services from the Alex as WAHT appear to be unsustainable. The health of our residents is the main priority and I will continue to fight to ensure patient care and safety is in no way compromised."

Councillor Chris Saint Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “The sudden departure of these consultants needs immediate action to re-assure the residents of Alcester, Bidford-on-Avon, Henley-in-Arden and Studley that effective local services are available.  WHAT appears to have a chequered history in insuring continuity of Quality Services, so I join those who would like to see the Alex operated by the University hospitals in Birmingham.  There has been too much messing about, instead of looking for effective long term solutions to hospital services."

Neal Stote Chairman of Save The Alex said: “What is clear is the need to have consultants at both sites, the trusts inability to retain the staff to enable this makes the managements position untenable.  It is hard to see new consultants rushing to take up jobs with this trust whilst the current management remains in place given 5 consultants felt the need to take the unprecedented action of resigning en masse.

“We are calling for a proven NHS trust to come in and salvage the situation which the current management have created, I believe that trust needs to be University Hospitals Birmingham. This trust has already said it will keep a consultant led A&E at the Alexandra Hospital."


Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

Back to news listing